THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGP) has sought approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to proceed with two vital transmission line projects that would boost electricity supply in Luzon and Mindanao.
In a 15-page order, the NGCP received the green light to put up the P2.22-billion Balo-i-Kauswagan-Aurora 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line project in Mindanao.
This project is necessary to connect the 600-megawatt (MW) GNPK coal-fired power plant in Lanao del Norte and to supplement the Mindanao 230-kV transmission line backbone toward Zamboanga Peninsula that will provide higher reliability of power transfer in the area.
Without the project, the gross generation capacity of 600 MW of GNPK cannot be dispatched since it is not connected to the main grid, the NGCP said.
“The entry of GNPK requires the immediate implementation of the proposed project to augment the needed additional power requirements of the Mindanao grid. Without the proposed project, GNPK’s generation output cannot be delivered to the Mindanao grid and thus, the consumers in Mindanao will continue to experience power deficiency and outages,” the NGCP said.
Mindanao has been experiencing power-supply deficiency in the past years due to limited power sources. GNPK heeded the government’s call for private-sector participation to invest in additional capacity by putting up a 600-MW power plant that will be implemented in two phases: 3×150 MW by 2017 and 1×150 MW by 2018.
But the entry of significant amount capacity requires the associated transmission facilities to accommodate such additional capacity and transmit the same to the Mindanao consumers.
“Wherefore, the forgoing premises considered, the application filed by the NGCP for approval of the Balo-i-Kauswagan-Aurora 230-kV transmission line project is hereby approved,” the ERC said.
The ERC also approved the NGCP’s plan to put up the Bataan-Cavite/Metro Manila transmission line project.
The project is still in its infancy stage. A feasibility study for the project would be conducted first to determine the appropriate scheme and the possibility of its shorter-period project implementation in time with the entry of new power plants in Bataan. Also, the study will determine just how much would be spent for the project.
The study is estimated to cost P161,825,624.10.
“The commission agrees in principal that the project is needed to support the bulk generation potential in Bataan. The commission believes there is a need to provide alternative route to deliver power to Metro Manila other than the overhead lines from Hermosa [Bataan] to San Jose [Bulacan],” the ERC said in its 10-page order.
The ERC said the feasibility study should already be conducted to assess the seabed profile, the feasible route, as well as the receiving end at Cavite or Metro Manila side in order to establish the appropriate connection scheme.
“This would be a very important step in early development stage for the submarine cable project,” the regulator said.
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