Fire worsens power situation in Mindanao, Philippines

• 11 years ago (2012-09-04)
• David Flin

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A fire at the Agus Power Plant in Mindanao resulted in a shutdown of the units, and data from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines showed that Mindanao experienced a power deficiency of 320 MW. This was caused by a technical problem that triggered the shutdown of Agus 6 switchyard in Iligan City. Agus 6 has a capacity of 200 MW, and Agus 7 has a capacity of 54 MW.

The National Power Corporation (Napocor) said a fire broke out at the control cable tunnel leading to the Maria Cristina Switchyard at about 10.20 pm on Sept 1, damaging the control cables of Agus 6 and 7, and causing the generating units of the two power plants to trip.

Napocor said that it was working closely with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to complete restoration of the control cable system and return Units 3 and 4 of Agus 6 by September 7. Atty Romero P Pacilan, spokesman for Napocor’s Mindanao Generation Group, said: “Once we bring Units 3 and 4 back onstream, we can immediately contribute about 80 MW to the grid. The restoration of the remaining generating units of Agus 6 and 7 to the grid will follow shortly thereafter.” He added that Napocor is undertaking additional measures that include working with the NGCP to put up an alternative control cable system that will re-establish the protection and metering systems of each of the generating units of Agus 6 and 7.