The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has energized a new substation in Davao City meant to boost Mindanao grid’s overall reliability.
The energization of a 100-megavolt ampere (MVA) power transformer at NGCP’s Toril substation marks the first milestone in the second phase of NGCP’s efforts to upgrade substations in Mindanao.
The 100MVA power transformer is the first energization under NGCP’s Mindanao Substation Upgrading Project 2 (MSUP2). Under the project, 10 substations in Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato will be equipped with new power transformers to ensure continuous operations in case of outages.
The project will also address the N-1 compliance for the Mindanao grid. A requirement of the Philippine Grid Code, an N-1 contingency is the ability of the grid to withstand a major system disturbance with minimal or no impact to the system.
The Toril substation serves the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company, which provides the electricity needs of Davao City.
The second phase of the MSUP was filed with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) at a cost of P5.56 billion. “The MSUP2 is again testament to our commitment to expand and improve the country’s transmission grid, and to provide better services at a lower cost to the consumer,” NGCP said.
For the first stage of the Mindanao Substation Upgrading Project, power transformers with a 100MVA rating were energized in NGCP’s Agus 6, Pitogo, Placer, NagaMin, and General Santos Substations. Power transformers with a 75MVA rating were also energized in Polanco, Opol, and Maramag Substations, and 50MVA power transformers in San Francisco, Bislig, and Kidapawan Substations.
Capacitor banks were also installed at NGCP’s Butuan, Tacurong, Pitogo, General Santos, San Francisco, and Placer Substations.
The first phase of MSUP has an ERC-approved project cost of P5 billion.
“These upgrading efforts are ultimately geared towards readying the grid for the influx of businesses, industries, and investments in the region,” said NGCP.
