Kepco donates power distribution eqp’t

MANILA, Philippines - Korea Electric Power Corp. (Kepco), a power generation company with operations in the Philippines, has donated power distribution equipment to 17 electric cooperatives (ECS) all over the country.

In a ceremonial signing yesterday, National Electrification Administration administrator Edita Bueno said the power distribution equipment would boost the operational efficiency of the electric cooperatives.

Kepco officials, for their part, said the equipment are still in good condition as they committed to continue helping the country’s electric cooperatives whenever they can.

“NEA and the ECs are thankful to Kepco for this donation. These distribution equipment will help meet their technical requirements in the maintenance and improvement of their system at a lower cost,” Bueno said.

Kepco director general Yim Hong-Bin said the latest donation marks the third phase of Kepco’s assistance to cooperatives, which has been going on since 2008.

The donated items include a power transformer, five gas circuit breakers, 35 vacuum circuit breakers, 99 disconnecting switches, 212 SF6 gas load break switches, four protection panels, five station power cubicles, five battery chargers and two storage batteries.

The EC-beneficiaries will shoulder the cost of dismantling, refurbishment as well as the shipment of this equipment for an estimated value of about $960,000.

Bueno said this amount is only about 26.67 percent if these equipment were to be purchased brand new which is around $3.6 million.

Kepco is upgrading its system voltage in Korea, which requires the change in its power distribution equipment. NEA, for its part, facilitated the deed of donation upon the request of the electric cooperatives. This is the third time that Kepco will be donating its equipment to power coops in the Philippines.