Pangasinan - Amid the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, the San Roque Power Corporation (SRPC) confirmed on Wednesday that it will maintain a continuous supply of electricity and irrigation. According to SRPC Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Tommy Valdez, the hydro power plant is successfully meeting the grid's minimum electricity requirement of 115 megawatts and is operating at full mass flow rate.
According to Philippines News Agency, Valdez explained that the irrigation needs during the past dry cropping season were fully met, covering an area between 36,000 and 40,000 hectares. He noted that the dam's water level is at 230.45 meters above sea level, close to the critical mark of 225 meters. Despite the possibility of reaching this critical level, he reassured that the power supply would remain stable. A maintenance shutdown is scheduled for May 6, slightly ahead of the usual late-May timeline.
He emphasized that this planned outage is routine and occurs annually during the hotter months when the reliance shifts towards coal-fired power plants. Valdez also mentioned that the re-regulating pond would continue to operate to support river ecology.
Looking forward, Valdez expressed hope for upcoming rainfall to replenish the reservoir in preparation for the wet cropping season, ensuring continued support for local agriculture.