Luzon power grid enhanced

National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) recently completed upgrading the San Jose-Angat 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line located in Bulacan, which is seen to boost Luzon’s electricity superhighway.

“The upgrading of this line is critical to the overall reliability of transmission services for Luzon, since the aged line will not be able to handle the full capacity dispatch of the 246-MW (megawatt) power plant,” the grid operator said in a statement.

A new third circuit spanning 18 kilometers was enhanced last May 20 and a fourth circuit of the same length was upgraded last April 13. The NGCP announced these developments on Friday.

The 300-megavolt ampere capacity per circuit of the upgraded line, it added, would now provide the N-1 contingency, a requirement of the Philippine Grid Code, beefing up the grid’s capability to withstand a major system disturbance with minimal or no impact to the system.

Likewise, the company improved the associated 115-kV substation with new power circuit breakers “to accommodate the capacity of the two new lines connected to the substation.”

“The completion of this project affirms our continuing commitment to upgrade the transmission network of the country. We are happy that the project is now energized to keep the grid running at optimum condition as we create solutions which will help our economy grow,” NGCP said.

Built in 1967, the old San Jose-Angat Lines 1 and 2 connect the Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant to the Luzon grid. Prior to that, another circuit comprising wooden poles had been constructed in 1960.

The P307-million transmission project was among those classified as an “Energy Project of National Significance” by the Energy Investment Coordinating Council, which was led by the Department of Energy (DOE). NGCP obtained this certification from the DOE in 2019.

Under Executive Order No. 30 issued in 2017, big-ticket energy projects refer to projects for “power generation, transmission and/or ancillary services including those required to maintain grid stability and security.”

The directive aims to harmonize and streamline the regulatory processes and requirements to undertake such projects in the country.

—Jordeene B. Lagare