NGCP to spend almost P100-B for power lines

MANILA, Philippines – The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said it would likely be spending P95.8 billion in the next 5 to 8 years to lay down the much-needed power lines network among and between the country’s main islands.

The country’s sole power lines concessionaire reported this in its draft Transmission Development Plan submitted to the Department of Energy.

It showed the following 7 transmission projects:

• Cebu-Negros-Panay

The Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) 230-kilovolt (kV) backbone is the most expensive and aimed at addressing the expected 420-megawatts in new capacity in Panay island from 2011 to 2016.

The upgrade of the Negros-Panay Interconnection at a cost of P2.8 billion is still awaiting guidelines from the Department of Energy, NGCP said.  

• Negros-Mindanao

This P29-billion interconnection project is considered as the alternative route to the planned P22 billion Leyte-Mindanao interconnection project.

• Leyte-Mindanao

NGCP said the Leyte-Mindanao interconnection project was conceptualized in the early 1980’s through a study conducted by Japan International Cooperation Agency.

NGCP said it got the go-signal to do a new feasibility on the Leyte-Mindanao interconnection project from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in 2011.

• Metro Manila

NGCP included the P14-billion  Metro Manila 500-kV backbone transmission project

NGCP said the power demand in Metro Manila  will continue to grow and that the challenge of responding to these needs are in the midst of space constraints for 230-kV substations and the problem in acquiring right-of-way for the new transmission lines and substations.  

• Western Luzon

NGCP is studying the development of the P9.2 billion Western Luzon 500-kV backbone project from Bolo down to Hermosa then to Metro Manila. It is considered to be among the major grid reinforcements proposed to be done between 2016 and 2020.

NGCP pointed out that the said line will significantly increase the capacity and reliability of the grid to transport bulk power from the coal power plants in the Pangasinan, Zambales and Bataan where additional generation capacity are expected to come.

The Western Luzon project, according to NGCP, will be initially energized at a 230-kV voltage level.

• Northern Luzon

This P3.6-billion 230-kV backbone project is included in the list.

• Batangas-Mindoro

This P11-billion Interconnection project, which will link Mindoro to the Luzon grid using submarine cables that will run through the 230-kV substation in Batangas or the Ilijan 500-kV substation.

– Rappler.com