The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) released their official statement yesterday in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impact on transmission operations.
“NGCP has implemented contingency measures to minimize the effect of COVID-19 on its workforce. These measures include the cancellation of official travels to affected countries and non-essential large events, protocol on employees returning from abroad, stricter procedure on entry of guests, and introduction of alternative approach to meetings (video conferencing, Skype/MS Teams call),” the statement read.
“NGCP is also conducting regular sanitation of all workplaces, temperature checks prior to entry in its offices, and providing alcohol/hand sanitizers in all facilities’ points of entry,” it added.
Sanitation of frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, elevator buttons, and light switches will be done every hour, while surfaces like walls, doors, floors, and ceilings will be sanitized after office hours. All work tools, including keyboards and telephones, meeting rooms, hallways, and pantries will be cleaned and sanitized after office hours.
NGCP is also assessing the impact of the global health concern on the implementation of its projects across the country, including the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection, Western Luzon 500kV Backbone, Mindanao 230kV Backbone, San Jose-Quezon 230kV transmission line, various projects aimed at addressing low voltage in the 3 grids, and others.
“The COVID-19 outbreak has put on an extended hold the delivery of critical construction and transmission equipment from vendors and manufacturers in the affected countries,” it said.
The company has put in place a contingency plan, which includes the use of existing NGCP equipment in stock and resort to other suppliers not affected by COVID-19, to mitigate further the impact of the disease on project deadlines and its overall effect on power transmission operations.
NGCP is also evaluating the implementation of the following additional measures: maintenance rescheduling, except for Grid Operating and Maintenance Program (GOMP); isolation of entrance to control centers, substations, and backup control centers; and provision of transportation, board, and lodging for dispatchers and substation engineers.
NGCP said they will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and provide updates for any significant development./PN
