15/05/2026
๐ดOFFICIAL STATEMENT: SURSECO IIโS POWER STATUS AMIDST THE EL NIรO AND CAPACITY CHALLENGE
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WHAT SURSECO II IS DOING?
We are excited to inform you of the LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM solutions to address challenges in the power distribution system in terms of capacity, reliability, safety, service efficiency, system loss reductionโand the present challenges brought about by the El Niรฑo.
LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS: These are strategic, high-impact projects designed to meet growing demand and provide a future-ready system.
1. PROJECT: (Capacity augmentation) Installation of a 5MVA Substation at Tago to accommodate present and future power requirement - Phase 1 of civil work is on-going
2. PROJECT: (Capacity augmentation) Tandag Substation Capacity Augmentation from 10MVA to 15MVA to accommodate present and future power requirement - Phase 1 of civil work is completed; Substation Construction and Primary Equipment Installation is ongoing
3. PROJECT: (Capacity augmentation) Rental of mobile power transformer to temporarily increase the capacity of Tandag 10MVA Substation pending the completion of the new 15MVA Substation (related to item 2) - For energization pending the metering installation requirements of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)
4. PROJECT: (Reliability) Buffer Stock Requirement (per NEA Memo No. 2015-023) in case of calamities - Available
5. PROJECT: (Safety) Installation of 69 kV Circuit Breaker at Cagwait Substation (Compliance of Philippine Grid Code 2016 Edition) - Completed
6. PROJECT: (Safety) Installation of Circuit Breakers on Backbone Line Safety - Completed
7. PROJECT: (Safety) Replacement of Deteriorated Distribution Poles - Continuous activity
8. PROJECT: (Safety) Replacement of line conductors (from bare to insulated) that have critical clearances from structures and tall-growing vegetations therefore susceptible to line fault and pose public hazard - Continuous activity
9. PROJECT: (Safety) Re-routing and Rehabilitation of Electrical Facilities that are situated in private properties and are now aging as they were installed during the early years of SURSECO IIโs operation - Continuous activity
10. PROJECT: (System Loss) Kilowatt-hour Meter Replacement - Continuous activity
11. PROJECT: (Safety and Reliability and System Loss Reduction) Regular clearing of Power Line Corridors (PLC) that have critical clearances from tall-growing vegetations, therefore susceptible to line fault and pose public hazard - Continuous activity
SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS:
SURSECO II also conducted and implemented the following short-term solutions to manage transformer loading in parallel to the ongoing long-term solutions to manage peak electricity demand:
[Note: Peak electricity demand refers to the highest level of electricity usage at a specific time across an electrical grid or system. It is the time when the demand for power is at its maximumโusually when many homes, businesses, and industries are using electricity simultaneouslyโand is especially increased during SUMMER.]
1. Enhancement of substation cooling system via forced-air fan installation to mitigate thermal stress and improve capacity.
2. Adjustment of feeder configurations to minimize peak current per phase.
3. Identified big loads and industrial type consumers were requested to schedule their heavy operations during off-peak hours.
4. Voltage correction activities to accommodate the operation of said big loads and industrial-type consumers during daytime.
5. Manual load droppingโif necessary and urgentโof select locations at a certain but short duration (this will be broadcasted via TEXT BLAST to concerned MCOs).
6. Continuous load monitoring of all substations.
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SERIES OF POWER INTERRUPTIONS: WHAT IS HAPPENING?
1. Impact of El Niรฑo on SURSECO II System Reliability
The extreme heat brought by El Niรฑo has significantly increased electricity demand across the SURSECO II franchise area. In fact, the Tandag City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has published a heat index of 44 ยฐC (Orange or Danger Level). As MCOs continuously use air conditioners, fans, and other cooling equipment to combat the rising temperatures, the load on our network has reached critical levels.
Why Outages Occur During Extreme Heat?
1) Substation and Facility Overloading: The sudden, widespread surge in power consumption can exceed the designed capacity of our substations and distribution lines.
2) Protective Tripping: To prevent expensive equipment from exploding or burning out due to this overload, our systemโs protective devices (like circuit breakers) are designed to โtripโ or automatically shut off. While this causes a temporary power outage, it is a necessary safety measure to avoid long-term damage to the grid.
3) Reduced Equipment Efficiency: Electrical hardware naturally struggles in high ambient temperatures. Prolonged heat makes transformers and conductors less efficient and more prone to technical stress, further increasing the risk of service interruptions.
The Heat is On: Understanding System Stress in the SURSECO II Service Area
The intense heat brought by El Niรฑo is doing more than just making us uncomfortableโit is pushing our power grid to its absolute limits. As temperatures soar, the demand for cooling has created a โperfect stormโ for our infrastructure, particularly in towns with high power demand.
2. Peak Hour Outages and the Double Challenge of Local Load vs. Power Transmission Issues
As disclosed in our transparency statements, the Cagwait 5MVA and Tandag 10MVA Substations are already at full capacity, hence the ongoing development of additional substations. While our substations are built to handle local needs,
โข The El Niรฑo has accelerated electricity use beyond forecasted levels. When demand exceeds what the substations can safely provide, protective devices โtripโ to prevent a catastrophic system failure or fire.
โข With Surigao del Sur as a rapidly growing economic hub, a surge in infrastructure and business means higher energy needs.
โข On top of local overloading, SURSECO IIโs franchise areaโbeing at the โtail endโ of NGCPโs power transmission lineโis the most vulnerable to voltage drops and technical stress.
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OUR COMMITMENT AND APPEAL TO THE MCOS
SURSECO II continues to closely monitor our facilities to manage the thermal stresses affecting the system. We also encourage our MCOs to practice energy efficiency during peak hours to help ease the load on our distribution network and support a more stable power supply.
The ongoing El Niรฑo has placed additional pressure on our operations, but it also underscores the importance of strengthening our system. While SURSECO II has already outlined both short-term and long-term technical measures, achieving reliable service is a shared responsibility. By understanding the conditions we are working through, we can move forward togetherโaddressing the challenges of this heatwave and building a more resilient power system.
ROEL E. ABAD
General Manager
