NGCP strengthens grid readiness with Annual Blackout Drills

NGCP continues to improve its grid response capabilities in case of large-scale power outages or system disturbances with the conduct of its annual Blackout Drills.

Conducted separately for the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao grids, the NGCP-led Blackout Drills aligns the contingency response of every player in the energy sector, particularly the generation plants.

With the theme “Blackout Readiness: Strengthening Response Capabilities,” the Annual Blackout Drill included both tabletop discussions and practical simulation exercises.

“Through these drills, NGCP can evaluate communication protocols, assess response times, and strengthen coordination efforts. We are able to identify weaknesses, if any, and address them proactively, in coordination with our partner stakeholders,” NGCP said.

The table-top presentations include discussions on black start services, actual restoration
experiences, blackout restoration guidelines and procedures, breakout sessions, and workshops focusing on area-specific blackout restoration highways. A simulation drill is held a week after the tabletop presentation to replicate an actual blackout scenario.

The activity was attended by stakeholders from the generation sector and distribution sector, as well as representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE) and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), National Power Corporation (NPC), National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC), Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), Philippine Independent Power Producers Association Inc. (PIPPA), and National Electrification Administration (NEA).

One of NGCP’s main functions as the country’s transmission operator is to constantly enhance operational efficiency of power transmission network operations, particularly that of System Operations.

##