NGCP energizes 230-kv line in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has recently energized the 230-kilovolt line connecting the northern and southern Mindanao.

The 213-circuit kilometer-long line from Villanueva, Misamis Oriental to Maramag, Bukidnon is part of the second stage of the new Mindanao transmission Backbone Project, NGCP said.

The high voltage transmission project, known locally as the Kirahon-Maramag 230-kv line provides a vital link between northern Mindanao where most power plants exist and southern Mindanao where the load or demand is expected to go up on more economic activities.

With an estimated project cost of P988 million, the Kirahon-Maramag line traverses two provinces and eight municipalities.

NGCP president and CEO Henry Sy, Jr. said the southern part of Mindanao, particularly the SOCSARGEN area and Davao, is the load center of the island since it is also the center for commerce

Thus, he said NGCP needs to ensure that the power generated from the north is transmitted reliably to SOCSARGEN and Davao, especially during the summer season.

“The Kirahon-Maramag line and the new Mindanao Transmission Backbone will ensure that the supply is fully dispatched to meet the demand in the south,” he said.

In all, the Mindanao Backbone Project intends to increase NGCP’s transmission capacity in Mindanao to 230 kv from 138 kv.

It is seen to boost the transmission of power supply from the Agus and Pulangi hydro facilities, the main source of power in the island.

According to NGCP, the southeast and southwest areas of Mindanao comprise 49 percent of the whole Mindanao power demand.

NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets.

The consortium holds the 25-year concession contract to operate the country’s power transmission network and is comprised of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp., led by Henry Sy, Jr.; Calaca High Power Corp., led by Robert Coyiuto, Jr.; and the State Grid Corp., of China (SGCC) as technical partner.