PETROWIND Energy Inc. (PWEI) has sought approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to develop, own and operate a P146.6-million dedicated point-to-point facility to connect its Nabas wind-power plant to the 69-kilovolt (kV) Nabas-Caticlan substation overhead transmission line of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).
PWEI’s proposed facility is intended to connect the two phases of the Nabas wind project—the 18×2 megawatt (MW) wind turbines in Nabas and Malay Aklan, outside of the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park, and the 7×2 MW wind turbines inside the park in Nabas, Aklan. The first phase is targeted to be completed by the last quarter of 2014.
This will be connected to NGCP’s transmission system through the construction of a single-circuit overhead transmission line.
This also involves the construction of a 6-kilometer interconnection facility that will extend from the power plant’s switchyard in Nabas toward NGCP’s existing Nabas-Caticlan substations in Nabas.
PWEI, a wholly owned subsidiary of PetroEnergy Resources Corp., said its shareholders are investing an estimated P4.5 billion to the Nabas wind project which is being funded by 30-percent equity and 70 percent by debt.
The ERC, in its 10-page order, approved PWI’s application. However, it told PWEI that the NGCP will operate the dedicated point to point transmission facilities.
“A perusal of the evidence presented shown that the approval of PWEI’s application for authority to develop, own and/or operate dedicated point-to-point facilities is in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 of Republic Act 9136…will redound to the benefit of the power consumers in terms of continuous, quality, reliable and efficient power supply,” the ERC said.
The ERC also agreed on the results of a system impact study that the construction of the said line has the least implementation cost and would result in the least line-fault exposure that may affect the power plant and its existing customers.