Batanes pioneers buried power distribution system

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) is funding the first underground power distribution system (UDS) project in the country through the Batanes Electric Cooperative Inc. (Batanelco).

NEA said Batanelco was constructing the UDS in the Island of Batan to address the power reliability and service efficiency concerns of the whole Batanes province.

NEA released the amount of P109.459 million to Batanelco for the Batan Island UDS project. The funding is part of the Barangay Line Enhancement Program (BLEP) under President Aquino’s administration.

The project is already about 85 percent complete with 17.501 circuit kilometers (kms) energized and 6.46 circuit kms. completed. Batanelco estimated full project completion by November 2016.

The Department of Public Works and Highways is undertaking the civil works, including excavation, backfilling and restoration.

The Batan Island UDS Project will run along the four municipalities of the island (Basco, Mahatao, Uyugan and Ivana). Through a feasibility study, the scheme was selected as the most practical and cost-efficient plan given Batanes’ unique topography and unpredictable weather conditions.

The UDS is seen as an alternative solution to Batanelco’s perennial power reliability problem. It is an alternative way to reduce the duration of power interruption while enhancing the reliability of the distribution system. It also aims to lessen power interruptions due to strong winds and salt spray and rapid deterioration and replacement of insulated conductors.

The underground system will replace the existing one, which will soon be dismantled.

A switch-on ceremony was held at the Batanes National Science High School in Basco, Batanes on April 24, 2016 along with the launching of a 24-hour power operation in the Island of Sabtang by the National Power Corp. (Napocor). Napocor supplies power to Batanelco, which in turn distributes electricity to the households.

“We have to think 10 to 15 years ahead,” said Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad, who was present during the ceremony. “We have to think of innovations. As the great scientist Albert Einstein once said, ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge.’ The underground distribution system was an innovation responsive to the needs of Batanes.”

Bueno added, “Every Filipino, the Ivatan [tribe] included, deserves reliable service of electricity.”

For its rural electrification goal, NEA said the government has released a total of P30.93 billion in subsidies, of which P20.048 billion was used for the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) and P3.297 billion for the BLEP.  Riza T. Olchondra