Leyte-Mindanao interconnection pushed

The Department of Energy has assured San Miguel Corp. and several other stakeholders that it would push for the timely implementation of the P24-billion Leyte Mindanao Interconnection Project, which would connect the three main grids in the country.

Energy Undersecretary Josefina Patricia M. Asirit said she had already discussed the matter with San Miguel, among other stakeholders, which is urging the government to fast-track the LMIP, which is hoped to shore up power capacities in Mindanao. The project will allow the transfer of any excess capacity from one grid to another. Asirit said the DoE was closely monitoring the project and noted its implementation was on track.

“It cannot be delayed, and if it can be fast-tracked in keeping with the most efficient way of implementing it, we will do so. We will exploit all means to fast-track LMIP for as long as the project will not be a burden to consumers, in terms of cost,” Asirit said.

Proof of the government’s commitment to ensuring that the LMIP will push through was the Energy Regulatory Commission’s swift approval of the NGCP’s planned P92-million feasibility study for the project.

“For now we have to wait for the study as that will show what timetable will be feasible. Even if the government would want to fast-track that LMIP, the government still has to make sure that appropriate studies have been made to ensure that it will be effective. We cannot compromise the project. It’s critical to ensure that we implement the project in the most efficient way possible so it won’t end up as an unwarranted cost burden to consumers,” Asirit said.

The first phase of the LMIP involves the conduct of a P92-million feasibility and technical study to update the last one that was made by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the state-run National Power Corp. in 2001.

The second phase will see the construction of 23 kilometers of submarine cables to connect the Leyte and Surigao substations. The interconnection project will call for the establishment of a 250-kilovolt high-voltage density cable bipolar link with a total transfer capacity of 500 megawatts (MW), as well as a 455-kilometer long overhead line and 23-km submarine cable. It would start at the Ormoc Converter station in Leyte and end at the Kirahon Converter station in northcentral Mindanao via Southern Leyte and northeastern Mindanao.