NGCP fires up crucial Luzon transmission line

MANILA, Philippines — National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said Tuesday it has fully energized the P17.3-billion Hermosa-San Jose transmission line that links Bataan, Pampanga, and Bulacan, after overcoming legal tussle on land disputes.

In a statement, the power grid operator said the 500-kilovolt HSJ transmission line had reached its full 8,000 megawatts capacity last Sunday.

This development came less than a month after the Supreme Court allowed NGCP to pursue the completion of the facility, lifting the temporary restraining order issued against the project in July 2023.

This legal challenge stemmed from its conflict with property firm PHirst Park Homes Inc., which allegedly “tried to block [the project] despite the valid permits and writs of possession under NGCP’s favor.”

READ: SC lifts TRO on P17.3-B NGCP transmission project

“This marks the full completion and energization at full capacity of this critical facility, strengthening and expanding the grid under NGCP,” it said.

However, the company noted that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) allowed NGCP to recover only P19 million, or 0.01 percent of the total project cost for HSJ.

“With the completion of this critical project, NGCP is optimistic that the ERC will act on the overdue recoveries applied for by NGCP,” the grid operator added.

The vital power line—a part of the Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose 500kV line—is designed to cater to power from new plants, which could boost supply and avoid widespread outages in Luzon. — Lisbet K. Esmael INQ