Power lines in Ruby-hit areas restored by Christmas

MANILA, Philippines – The restoration of transmission lines and facilities affected by Tropical Storm Ruby is targeted for completion before Christmas, the privately owned power grid operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said.

“We are targeting completion of restoration activities before Christmas,” stated NGCP president and CEO Henry Sy Jr.

To expedite restoration, 36 line gangs – 24 from Visayas, 6 from Mindanao, 3 from North Luzon, and 3 from South Luzon – were mobilized to ensure that NGCP complies with the deadline set by the Department of Energy (DOE).

NGCP added that all its remaining unrestored 69-kilovolt (kV) lines in Leyte and Samar will be able to transmit power to the different distribution utilities and electric cooperatives by December 25.

“We intend to restore our backbone lines within the week,” Sy said.

Still, prevailing weather conditions in the areas affected will either hamper or fasttrack the restoration activities, NGCP clarified.

NGCP implemented necessary precautions and preparations even prior to Ruby’s landfalls. These include securing the availability of hardware materials and supplies necessary for the repair of damages to facilities, and the positioning of line crews in strategic areas.

As of December 9, 27 of 46 transmission lines in Ruby-hit areas were already energized by NGCP. – Rappler.com