Provinces Severely Affected by Typhoon Odette, Unlikely to have Power by End of the Year

Efforts to restore power in typhoon-hit areas continue, but the endeavor has proven to be extremely challenging according to the Department of Energy. In this light, some provinces might experience being powerless during Christmas well through to New Year, according to the National Electrification Agency (NEA) on Tuesday. “It is quite impossible to restore power in… Bohol, Dinagat Islands (and) Surigao del Norte before the year ends,” explained NEA chief Ernesto Silvano.

Silvano pointed out the transmission lines in Bohol are 100% non-operational. DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella added that restoring power lines in Leyte could be difficult. “Bohol (is) connected to Leyte and we have two tall towers, according to the NGCP (National Grid Corporation of the Philippines) that were hit by the typhoon. The NGCP is targeting that now.”

On the other hand, the NGCP has successfully restored power in the provinces of Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Biliran, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao Oriental, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur. Around 736 personnel have been working around the clock since Typhoon Odette left and weather conditions calmed.

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has also been extending assistance to fix electricity services in the severely affected areas. Also on Tuesday, 25 of the 50 engineers and linemen deployed by the power distribution company arrived in Cebu to help in power restoration. Meralco is in close coordination with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, MVP Group, as well as various government and private bodies to provide the necessary relief

Government agencies have previously committed to restoring power by December 25 in the wake of Typhoon Odette, but doubts about meeting this timeline have been rising after assessing the situation. Fuentebella further elaborated that even though transmission lines are restored, returning power supply to normal levels could not be assured.

Sources: BusinessWorld, BusinessMirror