The Benguet Electric Cooperative is aggressively implementing measures to further make its lines even safer and minimize power interruptions.
The distribution utility has started laying out tree wires or insulated cables aimed at lessening unscheduled power interruptions or outages that are not announced beforehand.
As of July 31, the utility has so far laid out insulated cables at the South Drive-Cabinet Hill area.
Engr. Ramel Rifani, Network Services Department manager, said 70 to 80 percent of the power interruptions in Baguio and Benguet are unscheduled.
From January to July, Beneco recorded 1,175 random or unscheduled power interruptions, usually caused by elements that get in contact with the utility’s lines, such as tree branches or bird strikes.
Aside from branches and electrocuted birds, the other causes of power outages are roadside accidents, such as vehicles ramming into electricity poles or toppled trees that fall onto electricity wires.
On the same period, Beneco has scheduled 46 power interruptions for preventive maintenance activities, either implemented by the electric coop or by transmission firm National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.
Beneco did not schedule maintenance activities during the enhanced community quarantine.
Rifani said the installation of insulated wires is one of the measures done to minimize the occurrence of random power interruptions by protecting the wires from other electricity conductors.
The installation of insulated cables to improve systems reliability is among the major projects Beneco has lined up for 2020.
Engr. Melchor Licoben, Beneco OIC general manager, said despite the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the electric coop is committed to pursuing programs to provide member-consumer-owners with reliable, affordable, and stable electricity services. – Jane B. Cadalig
April 25, 2024
