MANILA — Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Saturday said access to the Mt. Apo geothermal power plant has been restored after the road leading to the complex was blocked by fallen rocks and debris due to quakes that struck parts of Mindanao the past days.
“Access to the site has been restored and the power plant complex is also now accessible. Clearing operations will continue to restore access across the rest of the site,” Cusi said.
“With access to site restored, civil and structural assessments of all infrastructure(s) will commence today, together with mechanical and electrical inspections of the generating facilities,” he added.
Meanwhile, Cusi said two of its power plants — M1 and M2 — remain “inoperational as these are on turning gear operation in accordance with safety operating protocol.”
He assured that “all reasonable steps necessary to safely restart operations” as soon as possible are being taken.
“We are also in communication with the NGCP (National Grid Corp. of the Philippines) with view to the restoration of the NGCP Kidapawan Substation, through which our plants export power into the Mindanao Grid. We will continue to keep you abreast of developments,” he said. -PNA
