Meralco completes rehab of Laguna line

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has completed the rehabilitation of the 17-kilometer Botocan-Caliraya 115 kilovolt transmission line in Laguna.

The rehabilitation of the plant paves the way for the operation of the 21-megawatt Botocan hydroelectric power plant, which is among the power plants targeted to help augment power supply this year.

“The newly rebuilt line can now facilitate the transmission of the Botocan hydro-electric power plant output of around 21 megawatts to the grid,” Meralco said.

Typhoon Glenda, which struck the country in July last year, toppled the steel tower of the transmission line.

This transmission facility traverses the mountainous terrain of Majayjay and Caliraya, Laguna.

As part of the rehabilitation, Meralco replaced the conductors of the line’s 3.1-kilometer segment from the Botocan Substation.

The power distributor said this would be a big boost to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) efforts to utilize all existing power generating plants in anticipation of the supply situation this summer.

There is a projected power supply shortage this summer of at least 700 MW due to higher demand during the hot months and not enough supply.

The rehabilitation of the line, which took 10 weeks to complete, involved the replacement of phase conductors and conversion of a steel tower downed by Typhoon Glenda.

“To further ensure the reliable operation of this vital line, the existing electronic and mechanical relays were upgraded to the microprocessor type and new supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) equipment were installed to monitor and control associated substation equipment,” Meralco said.

Another power plant being eyed to augment power supply this summer is the 100-MW diesel plant of Millennium Energy Inc., which is targeted for interconnection in March.