NGCP to maximize use of submarine cable

NGCP is set to energize the Negros-Panay submarine cable at its full capacity of 300 megawatts (MW) by the first quarter of 2018, addressing issues on excess supply in Negros province and providing a more reliable connection between two of the major Visayas islands.

The Negros-Panay submarine cable forms part of Stage 1 of the company’s Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) 230-kilovolt (kV) backbone project, designed to boost energy stability in the region.

“With the influx of power sources in Negros, CNP Stage 1 will maximize the power generated by variable renewable energy plants in the province,” said NGCP, pertaining to the sudden increase in 2014 of the installation target for renewable energy facilities from 50 MW to 500 MW for solar and from 200MW to 400MW for wind.

“NGCP’s mandate is to build connections to any energy source which wants to sell power through the country’s power backbone. It is imperative that transmission projects are synchronized with generation projects so we can ensure that any power that may be generated will be dispatched through the grid,” the company said.

Aside from the submarine cable, other segments of CNP Stage 1 include the double circuit Bacolod-E.B. Magalona overhead transmission line, and the expansion of the Bacolod and Barotac Viejo Substations and the E.B. Magalona Cable Terminal Station. With the completion of the CNP 230 kV Backbone Project Stage 1, NGCP will be able to provide an additional transmission capacity of 210 MW between Negros and Panay islands and improved voltage levels of major substations on Negros island.