NGCP seeks LGU help to remove grid obstacles

The worsening right-of-way (ROW) problem the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is facing in Mindanao has prompted the transmission service provider to finally seek help from local government officials.

NGCP told officials there it has become the practice of some uncooperative landowners to intentionally plant trees or build structures under or near transmission lines and then demand for compensation when linemen enter the properties to conduct maintenance activities.

During the Mindanao Vice Governors Conference held in Cagayan de Oro City, NGCP presented to officials of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, and Camiguin photos of these obstacles affecting operations of high voltage transmission lines.

“The trees and other structures under our facilities breach our safety clearances and endanger the reliability of the entire grid. We are seeking the aid of the provincial governments in the area by asking them to support our efforts against these uncooperative landowners, and when relevant, issue a resolution prohibiting tree-planting and building of structures under transmission lines,” NGCP appealed to local officials.

The right-of-way issue has forced the Mindanao grid to reach critical level, threatening the entire island with rotating power interruptions.

“These lines are crucial to the delivery of electricity from the hydroelectric sources to the Mindanaoan consumers. Because of the refusal of a few landowners along these vital facilities to allow NGCP access to conduct needed maintenance work, three lines are already non-operational, with many others threatening to go the same way,” NGCP said.

The grid system operator warned that unless it has unimpeded access to transmission facilities, which is its role as a service provider, the bulk of Mindanao’s power coming from the hydropower plants may eventually be completely isolated from the grid.

This means that the power the hydro plants generate will have no way of reaching the consumers because the highway connecting to them is no longer working, the company said.

Equipment and appliances are also at risk of damage due to voltage and frequency dips from the short-circuiting of conductors that come in contact with tree branches.

“Both residential and industrial customers are also severely affected by this problem. The lines connecting to our Balo-i Substation are especially critical as it is the connection point to the hydropower plants,” NGCP said.

Several provinces have already passed a resolution in support of NGCP’s request while others have expressed intention to follow.

Local government officials from Lanao del Norte, where the critical Agus4-Balo-i 138-kV line is located, are also actively coordinating with NGCP to address the issue of uncooperative landowners and to uproot critical vegetation along the line.

The company said it is exploring all avenues to address this issue because it affects all power consumers in Mindanao.

“Right-of-way remains one of the biggest stumbling blocks for new projects as well as regular maintenance activities. The passage of the resolution will show that the local government supports the project and will be of crucial value when negotiating with landowners,” NGCP said.