Peza’s power stability gets boost from NGCP upgrade

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has upgraded its network in Benguet province.

Overall, this will improve the transmission system’s reliability and flexibility for the benefit of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza).

Peza may now draw power from either the La Trinidad or Ambuklao substations, improving the reliability of its power supply, NGCP said. There is a Peza facility in Benguet province, the Baguio City Economic Zone.

In a statement, NGCP said it recently installed a 300-megavolt ampere (MVA) and 50-MVA power transformers at the La Trinidad and Ambuklao substations, respectively.

The 300-MVA transformer in La Trinidad accommodates the 130-megawatt peak load of Baguio City, Benguet and Mountain Province, and parts of Ilocos Sur and Kalinga.

To comply with the Philippine regulation mandating the grid’s ability to withstand the loss of a major system component with minimal disruption, another 300-MVA transformer is expected to be commissioned in La Trinidad this July.

Work on the power transformers is part of the Luzon Substation Expansion Project, which includes equipment testing and upgrade of conductors and other equipment.

NGCP is a privately owned corporation of the Sy family. It operates, maintains and develops the country’s power grid. Riza T. Olchondra