Chinese firm bags P424-M contract for transmission steel towers

Chinese firm Xian Electric Engineering Co. has bagged the P424.4-million contract for the restoration of some 42 transmission steel towers of the National Transmission Corp. toppled by typhoon ‘Milenyo.’

In a press briefing after the contract signing yesterday, TransCo president Arthur Aguilar said Xian won the public bidding for the supply, delivery, and installation of steel towers and line materials for the damaged portions of the Tayabas-Naga 500-kilovolt (kV), Kalayaan-Gumaca-Labo-Naga, Bacman-Daraga 230-kV, and Leyte-Luzon 350-kV transmission line in Southern Luzon.

"This is a major boost to our efforts to finally normalize the delivery of electricity in the areas badly hit by the typhoon," Aguilar said, adding the restoration project is crucial to normalize the power supply in the Luzon grid.

"We were able to reconnect Bicol to the Luzon grid then using temporary ‘bypass lines’ or alternate lines to connect to the substation but transmission capacity was very limited," he said.

Transmission lines in the Bicol region and other Southern Luzon areas were energized by mid-October after non-stop temporary restoration works by TransCo line personnel on the lines and towers toppled by the typhoon.

Temporary power transmission tower structures called emergency restoration systems (ERS) were installed in the affected areas.

"We expect Xian to finish the repair and restoration works on 17 towers of Tayabas-Naga, 21 towers of Kalayaan-Gumaca-Labo-Naga, three towers of Bacman-Daraga, and one tower of Leyte-Luzon lines by June 30, 2007, just in time for the start of the rainy season," Aguilar said.

Xian deputy general manager Zhang Shi Wen and country manager Ma Ying Hai represented the Chinese firm at the signing ceremony, while Aguilar and Transco vice president for administration, human resources and finance Jules S. Alcantara signed on behalf of TransCo.

At the submission and opening of bids, two bidders submitted proposals for Package A. Three groups bid for Package B.

Xian won in the bidding for both contract packages. The award of contracts was approved and confirmed by the TransCo board on Dec. 21 last year.

Aguilar said TransCo will bid out the contract for the restoration of 118 towers damaged by typhoon ‘Reming’ by April this year. Pre-bid conference for this contract will be on Thursday, Jan. 18.