NGCP seeks gov’t OK for P36-B project

National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is seeking regulatory approval to undertake the P36-billion Cebu-Negros-Panay interconnection project, to prepare the grid for the additional 491 megawatts of new capacity coming in by 2016.

In a statement, NGCP said it had filed an application with the Energy Regulatory Commission to implement the first stage of the project, which would entail facilities expansion and line upgrades to ensure the overall reliability of the Visayas grid.

“The CNP project is intended to address potential overloading of the Negros-Panay and Bacolod-Magalona lines due to the addition of generation plants on Panay Island by 2016,” the NGCP explained.

“Based on NGCP’s 2011 Transmission Development Plan (TDP), 10 generating plants will be constructed on Panay Island by 2016, with a total capacity of 491 MW. This increase in capacity will cause significant excess in generated power on the island hence, the need for new transmission lines to export the excess power to other islands in the Visayas,” it further said.

According to NGCP, the Cebu-Negros-Panay project will involve the installation of additional submarine cables; construction of overhead transmission lines; and expansion of the Barotac Viejo substation, EB Magalona cable terminal station (CTS) and a Bacolod substation.

The project will also extend the existing 230-kilovolt transmission corridor from the Compostela substation in Cebu towards Panay through a combination of submarine cables and overhead transmission lines which will pass through Negros Island.

Once completed, the project is seen to add a total of 238 circuit kilometers (ckm) of transmission lines to NGCP’s facilities.

NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Perez-Alabanza said the company has high hopes for the approval of the project.

“NGCP’s goals are always geared towards increasing the stability and reliability of the grid. Our long-term plans include uniting the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids. This CNP project will move our cause one step toward that goal,” Alabanza said.

The NGCP currently operates, maintains and develops the country’s three main grids. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines and towers, substations and related assets.

NGCP’s regular maintenance activities include expansion and upgrading projects that aim to enhance the reliability and quality of electricity delivered to grid-connected customers like power generators, distributors and large industries.