NGCP eyes to complete Cebu transmission project next year

MANILA, Philippines - The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is targeting to complete its transmission line project in Cebu by the end of 2014, a company official said yesterday.

The P602-million project involves the construction of a 138-kilovolt transmission line that would connect two of its substations in Cebu – Colon and Calung-Calung.

The connection is necessary to boost the transfer capability of the grid for the 246-megawatt coal-fired power plant of Cebu Energy Development Corp. in Toledo, Cebu.

The plant is connected to the grid through the Colon substation.

The project, launched last year, includes the construction of a 28-kilometer transmission line and installation of additional power circuit breakers and corresponding accessories at the two substations.

NGCP deputy assistant chief technical officer for planning and engineering Rico Vega said the original design of the project involves connecting Colon and Calung-Calung substations with Toledo substation, which is in the middle of the two facilities.

However, due to space constraints at the Toledo substation, NGCP had to redesign the project and bypass Toledo substation. Instead, it would now connect the Colon facility directly to Calung-Calung substation.

 â€œThe project will increase NGCP’s transfer capability and accommodate the future entry of Toledo Power Co.’s coal-fired plant,” Vega said.

NGCP, the operator of the country’s power transmission network, has been rehabilitating and upgrading its facilities to accommodate new players in the power sector.

In May, a bushfire hit NGCP’s transmission line in Talisay, Batangas, leading to a system-wide power outage in Luzon.

Its regular maintenance activities and expansion projects aim to enhance the reliability and quality of electricity delivered to grid-connected customers like generators, distributors, and large industries.