KIDAPAWAN CITY – The series of power interruptions that hit North Cotabato since Monday were caused by power generation deficiency, according to officials of the Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco), one of the biggest power cooperatives in Central Mindanao.

At least 14 feeders, or transmission lines, that feed power for an electricity substation in at least nine towns in North Cotabato were affected by the power load curtailment, said Felix Canja, Cotelco’s executive assistant to the general manager.

Since Monday, he said, at least 32 megawatts (MWs) of power supplied to the General Santos Area Control Center (GSACC), or the Southwestern Mindanao District, are being reduced daily by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

The GSACC, or the 6th district of the NGCP, is comprised of at least five provinces in southwest Mindanao, including General Santos in South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat.

The district’s load curtailment has increased by more than 100 percent since November last year, said Canja.

The NGCP, in its statement issued to Cotelco, said the load curtailment was due to generation insufficiency, which was brought about by non-availability of generating units, power plant shutdown, and plants undergoing preventive maintenance.

The incidents have reduced the capacity of the supply network going to General Santos City and other parts of southwest Mindanao.