GNPower to boost Luzon grid electricity supply

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has allowed GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. to operate and contribute an additional 668 megawatts supply to the country’s Luzon power grid.

This was through granting a certificate of compliance for the first unit of its coal-fired power plant in Mariveles, Bataan. GNPower’s generation facility is composed of two 668 MW coal-fired power plants with associated facilities that are connected to the Luzon grid via an interim connection to the Mariveles substation. The second unit of its power plant is still under construction and has yet to complete testing and commissioning.

Connected to NGCP

The final connection of the generation assets will be connected to the New Mariveles 500 kilovolt switching station of the country’s main grid operated by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

GNPower commenced with the internal test for its first unit on Nov. 30 to support the grid during the maintenance of Malampaya which resulted in an outage.

The approval granted by the ERC is valid for five years which may be revoked or suspended by the regulator at any time should the NGCP determine that the continued injection of the 668 MW by GNPower may imperil the safety and security of the grid.

“With the issuance of a certificate of compliance to GNPower, it can now commercially operate and inject power to the Luzon grid that will provide the much needed additional power supply to meet the increasing demand for power this holiday season and up to the election period,” ERC chair and CEO Agnes Devanadera said.

“The grant of certificate of compliance to GNPower will augment the country’s generation capacity and a proactive effort by the commission, particularly in cases where power demand outweighs supply,” she added, adding that regulatory applications are approved once all requirements have been complied with. INQ