Negros Power Linemen Battle Ashfall Amidst Kanlaon Eruption

The entire province of Negros Occidental and neighboring towns in Panay were shocked by the December 9 Mt. Kanlaon eruption. Despite that, Negros Power has been working tirelessly to ensure the safety and reliability of its power distribution network. The eruption, which sent ashfall across portions of Bago City and the Municipality of Murcia within Negros Power’s franchise area, posed a significant threat to the company’s infrastructure. The company’s linemen are braving the ashfall to keep electricity up and running this Christmas season.

Read: Negros Power Brings Christmas Cheer with Lower Electricity Rates

Electrical System Problems Caused by Mt. Kanlaon Eruption

The ashfall brought about by the Kanlaon eruption posed several risks to electrical networks, including:

• Insulator Flashover: Ash contamination can cause insulators to fail, leading to power outages.
• Overloading: Ash accumulation can overload lines, potentially causing damage or outages.
• Structural Damage: Ash can weaken poles and light structures, increasing the risk of collapse.
• Tree Falls: Ash-laden trees can fall onto power lines, causing widespread outages.
• System Malfunction: Ash ingress into HVAC systems can block intakes, reducing performance and affecting critical systems in substations.

Working to Lower the Risks

To mitigate these risks, Negros Power has been conducting a series of water-flushing operations to clean its facilities. As of December 22, the company has washed and cleaned almost 450 primary or feeder line pin insulators and replaced 130 pin insulators affected by the ashfall. This represents a 77% accomplishment rate, and flushing activities continue until all affected facilities are cleaned.

“We are committed to providing reliable power to our customers, even in the face of natural disasters,” said Engr. Mervin Dalian, Head of Network Development and Operations group of Negros Power.

The company has also taken steps to protect its equipment from ash ingress, ensuring the continued operation of its substations and other critical infrastructure.

“We are committed to ensuring the safety of our employees and the reliability of our power supply,” Engr. Dalian added. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to protect our facilities and customers.”

Related: Negros Power and Its 5-Year Development Plan

Despite all the challenges, Negros Power also held the Saya sa Barangay series of activities to bring holiday cheer to communities affected by rehabilitation-related brownouts.