The NGCP has raised red and yellow alerts over the Luzon and Visayas power grids due to insufficient supply and multiple plant outages. Learn about the affected areas, causes, and what consumers should expect.
Introduction: Power Grids Under Strain
For the second straight day, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has raised red alert status over the Luzon and Visayas power grids, signaling insufficient power supply to meet consumer demand . The declaration comes amid a punishing summer season that has driven electricity consumption to record highs while multiple power plants remain offline or operating below capacity.
The red alert, which took effect on May 13 and has been extended through May 14, affects millions of consumers across both major island groups, with rotating brownouts already implemented in several provinces . Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has directed the NGCP and power generation companies to “immediately restore normal conditions” .
This article explains what red and yellow alerts mean, why the power situation has reached crisis levels, which areas are affected, and what consumers can do to prepare.
Part 1: Understanding Red vs. Yellow Alerts
1.1 What Is a Yellow Alert?
A yellow alert is declared when the power grid’s operating margin—the reserve supply available to handle unexpected outages or demand spikes—falls below the level required for system security . In simpler terms, the grid still has enough electricity to meet current demand, but the buffer is dangerously thin. Any additional plant tripping or sudden surge in consumption could push the system into deficit.
1.2 What Is a Red Alert?
A red alert is far more serious. It is issued when “power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement” . Under red alert conditions, the grid has no available reserve capacity. This is the highest alert level and typically triggers Manual Load Dropping (MLD) —the technical term for rotating brownouts—to prevent a complete system collapse.
1.3 Alert Schedule: May 13-14, 2026
| Grid | Date | Red Alert | Yellow Alert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luzon | May 13 | 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM; 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Visayas | May 13 | 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM | 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| Luzon | May 14 | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM; 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Visayas | May 14 | 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM; 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
*Source: NGCP advisories *
Part 2: The Numbers Behind the Crisis
2.1 Luzon Grid
The Luzon grid—serving Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces—is facing a significant supply-demand gap:
| Metric | May 13 | May 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Available Capacity | 12,447 MW | 12,479 MW |
| Projected Peak Demand | 12,537 MW | 12,595 MW |
| Shortfall | 90 MW | 116 MW |
*Source: NGCP *
The gap may appear small, but in power system terms, any deficit—even a few megawatts—triggers a red alert because the grid has no reserve to handle contingencies.
2.2 Visayas Grid
The Visayas situation is structurally different: available capacity exceeds projected demand on paper, but the numbers mask deeper problems.
| Metric | May 13 | May 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Available Capacity | 2,510 MW | 2,413 MW |
| Projected Peak Demand | 2,413 MW | 2,541 MW |
| Surplus/(Shortfall) | +97 MW | (128 MW) |
*Source: NGCP *
The Visayas grid’s available capacity dropped significantly between Wednesday and Thursday due to continuing outages, pushing the system into an actual deficit on May 14 .
Part 3: Why Is This Happening?
3.1 Record-Breaking Demand
The summer of 2026 has been exceptionally hot, driving air conditioning use to unprecedented levels. According to NGCP spokesperson Atty. Cynthia Alabanza, the 2025 peak demand record of 13,839 MW has already been surpassed twice this year :
- April 24, 2026: 14,016 MW
- May 12, 2026: 14,268 MW
Each new record pushes aging infrastructure and stretched generation capacity to their limits.
3.2 Widespread Power Plant Outages
The supply crisis is exacerbated by a staggering number of power plants that are either completely offline (forced outage) or running below capacity (derated).
Luzon Grid Outages (as of May 14):
| Status | Number of Plants | Unavailable Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Forced outage since March 2026 | 17 | — |
| Forced outage since 2025 | 3 | — |
| Forced outage since 2024 | 2 | — |
| Forced outage since 2019 | 1 | — |
| Derated operations | 14 | — |
| Total unavailable | — | 4,242.5 MW |
*Source: NGCP *
Visayas Grid Outages (as of May 14):
| Status | Number of Plants | Unavailable Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Forced outage since March 2026 | 11 | — |
| Forced outage since 2025 | 4 | — |
| Forced outage since 2024 | 2 | — |
| Forced outage since 2023 | 2 | — |
| Forced outage since 2021 | 1 | — |
| Derated operations | 12 | — |
| Total unavailable | — | 866.7 MW |
*Source: NGCP *
3.3 Transmission Line Tripping
On the morning of May 13, the 500-kilovolt (kV) Tayabas-Ilijan and Dasmariñas-Ilijan transmission lines tripped at around 6:30 a.m. . This caused the disconnection of major power plants from the grid, including:
- Ilijan Units 1 & 2: 1,200 MW
- EERI Units 1, 2, & 3: 1,262.1 MW
- Masinloc Unit 3: 325 MW (forced outage at 6:34 a.m.)
The Department of Energy has directed NGCP to “provide details of the incidents, particularly the transmission outages,” and ordered San Miguel Global Power to immediately restore Masinloc Unit 3 .
3.4 No Power Imports from Luzon to Visayas
The Visayas grid’s situation is further complicated by the unavailability of power imports from Luzon . Normally, the Visayas can draw emergency supply from the larger Luzon grid, but with Luzon itself under red alert, that option is off the table.
3.5 Long-Term Outages: A Persistent Problem
Perhaps the most concerning detail is the duration of some forced outages. According to NGCP data :
- One plant in Luzon has been offline since 2019—nearly seven years
- One plant in the Visayas has been offline since 2021
These long-term outages indicate systemic maintenance and reliability issues that cannot be blamed on seasonal demand spikes alone.
Part 4: Affected Areas
4.1 Luzon
Manual Load Dropping (rotational brownouts) may be implemented in areas served by the following electric cooperatives and utilities :
- Abra Electric Cooperative
- Peninsula Electric Cooperative Inc. (Bataan)
- Pampanga III Electric Cooperative
- Batangas II Electric Cooperative Inc.
- Manila Electric Company (Meralco) —affecting parts of Metro Manila, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal
- Albay Electric Cooperative Inc.
- Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative Inc.
- Camarines Sur I Electric Cooperative Inc.
Meralco implemented rotating power interruptions averaging three hours starting at 3:23 p.m. on May 13, affecting more than 200,000 consumers . The utility also activated its Interruptible Load Program (ILP) , securing over 240 MW of de-loading capacity from commercial and industrial customers to reduce strain on the grid .
4.2 Visayas
In the Visayas, MLD may be implemented in areas served by :
- Visayan Electric Company (Cebu and Mandaue cities, Naga City, San Fernando municipality)
- Mactan Electric Company
- Cebu I, II, and III Electric Cooperatives
- Power cooperatives and distributors in Negros, Panay, Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental
Visayan Electric Company announced a series of one-hour rotational brownouts across its coverage area .
Part 5: Government Response
5.1 DOE Directives
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has issued several directives to address the crisis :
- NGCP must immediately resolve transmission constraints affecting the dispatch of large power plants
- San Miguel Global Power must expedite restoration of Masinloc Unit 3
- Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) Units 1 & 2 and Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) Unit 3 must expedite restoration of their generating units
- The DOE Visayas Field Office is conducting on-site inspections of affected plants
Garin stated: “On both the transmission and the generation sides, our directive is the same: restore normal conditions as quickly as possible and protect Filipino consumers from prolonged supply disruptions” .
5.2 Meralco’s Interruptible Load Program
Meralco has activated its ILP, requesting commercial and industrial customers with their own generating sets to disconnect from the grid and run on their own power. The program secured over 240 MW of capacity, helping to reduce the need for longer rotating brownouts .
Part 6: What Consumers Should Expect and Do
6.1 Rotational Brownouts
Consumers in affected areas should expect rotating power interruptions during red alert periods. These typically last 1-3 hours per rotation and are implemented on a rotating basis to share the burden of load shedding.
Important: NGCL notes that MLD schedules “may be cancelled if system condition improves, such as if actual demand falls below projection” . Not every area on the list will necessarily experience an outage.
6.2 Conservation Measures
The NGCP urges the public to “exercise prudence in using electricity” . Recommended measures include:
- Setting air conditioning thermostats to 25°C or higher
- Turning off lights and appliances when not in use
- Postponing use of high-energy appliances (washing machines, irons, ovens) during red alert hours (typically 3 PM to 10 PM)
- Unplugging devices on standby mode
6.3 Stay Informed
Consumers should monitor announcements from their local electric cooperatives and distribution utilities for real-time updates on rotating brownout schedules.
Part 7: Looking Ahead
The red alert status for Luzon and Visayas highlights persistent vulnerabilities in the country’s power system. While summer demand spikes are seasonal and predictable, the large number of extended forced outages—some lasting years—points to deeper reliability issues.
Energy Secretary Garin has directed all affected generation companies to “expedite restoration,” but timelines remain uncertain. Consumers should prepare for the possibility of continued red alerts throughout the remaining summer months, particularly on weekdays when demand is highest.
The situation will improve when:
- Transmission lines are fully restored
- Major plants (Ilijan, Masinloc, TVI, PEDC) return to service
- Summer peak demand subsides in the coming months
Until then, the red alert may remain a recurring headline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between a yellow alert and a red alert?
A yellow alert means power reserves are running low but supply still meets demand. A red alert means supply is insufficient to meet demand, and rotating brownouts are likely .
How long will the red alert last?
The NGCP issues alerts on a day-to-day basis. As of May 14, the red alert has been extended for a second day. Future declarations depend on plant restorations and demand levels.
Which areas are most affected?
Metro Manila (Meralco franchise areas), parts of Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and multiple provinces in the Visayas including Cebu, Negros, Panay, Leyte, Samar, and Bohol .
Why are so many power plants offline?
NGCP data shows plants have been on forced outage since as early as 2019. Reasons include technical issues, maintenance delays, and transmission line tripping events that disconnected major plants on May 13 .
What should I do during a brownout?
Unplug sensitive electronics to prevent damage when power returns. Keep a flashlight handy. Avoid opening refrigerators unnecessarily. Stay hydrated, as brownouts often occur during the hottest afternoon hours.
Call to Action (CTA)
Are you experiencing rotating brownouts in your area? Share your situation in the comments below. And if you found this article helpful, share it with neighbors and friends who may be affected by the power interruptions.
