NGCP’s P3.3-B Bataan project now online
National Grid Corp. of the Philippine (NGCP) has brought online its expanded substation and transmission line in Bataan, enabling the system to better accommodate the 600-megawatt power plant complex in Limay.
The P3.3-billion project is part of the Bataan 230-kilovolt Grid Reinforcement Project, which shores up the reliability of power transmission services in that province.
The Hermosa-Bataan Combined Cycle Power Plant (BCCPP) Line 3, the BCCPP Substation Bay 81 and its associated equipment have been energized, enabling the dispatch of the full capacity of existing and incoming generating plants.
These include SMC Consolidated Power Corp.’s 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant complex in Limay, Bataan.
“With the continuous load growth to service the rising demand for power in Luzon, particularly in Bataan and the nearby province of Pampanga, there is a need to increase the capacity of the existing 230-kv corridor to improve transmission services in the area,” NGCP said in a statement.
“This project will help address low voltage concerns in Luzon, if any, and improve the quality of power transmitted to distribution utilities, industries, and businesses which we serve in the area,” the company added.
The grid operator is also working on other components of the Grid Reinforcement Project such as the Limay Substation and San Rafael Substation. These are expected to be completed in the third quarter this year.
NGCP said the project also complied with the N-1 standard set by the Philippine Grid Code, which was the grid’s ability to withstand a major system disturbance with minimal disruption to the system.
The Bataan Grid Reinforcement was included in January in the list of the projects certified as Energy Project of National Significance (EPNS) by the Energy Investment Coordinating Council.
There are 29 NGCP projects — with approved costs of P90.29 billion — certified as EPNS, which means that these will be given “expedited issuance of all regulatory and documentary requirements from local and national government agencies.”
This includes action of application of permits and requirements within 30 days of certification as EPNS, and the immediate and automatic approval of all applications within five working days if no action of the said agency has been made after 30 days.
“The issuance of EPNS by the EICC is critical for the on-time completion of these projects,” NGCP said. “This will enable us to expedite our plans and programs and efficiently cater to the needs of our stakeholders to provide a more resilient power grid.”
