3.8-M Meralco customers hit by power outage due to ‘Ulysses’

In its latest update, the number of affected customers was down to about 2.9 million. (File photo: Clint Patterson/Unsplash)

MANILA – Power distribution firm Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said some 3,803,810 customers in its franchise areas have been without electricity as of 5 a.m. Thursday.

This is amid the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses, particularly in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon), which downed electric poles and wires.

“(R)est assured that Meralco’s crews will immediately attend to the trouble areas as soon as the weather allows,” Meralco said.

In its latest update, the number of affected customers was down to about 2.9 million.

Meanwhile, the National Grid Corp.

of the Philippines (NGCP) has listed unscheduled power interruptions due to the tripping of some transmission lines.

Some parts of Zambales had power interruption due to the tripping of the Botolan-Candelaria 69-kilovolt (kV) line that affected the Zambales I Electric Cooperative (Zameco I).

The Botolan-Castillejos 69kV line was also damaged, affecting the franchise areas of Zameco I and Zameco II.

Power interruption was likewise experienced in the Mountain Province, parts of Cervantes and Quirino, Ilocos Sur, parts of Benguet and Tinglayan, Kalinga due to the tripping of the La Trinidad-Sagada 69kV line, affecting electric cooperatives of the Mountain Province Electric Cooperative (Mopreco) and Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco).

The Itogon-Ampucao 23kV line was also down, affecting Beneco franchise areas, while the Hermosa-Floridablanca 69kV line interrupted power in areas served by the Pampanga II Electric Cooperative and San Fernando Electric Light and Power Co.

(Sfelapco).