NGCP secures more stable power supply for Visayas

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has secured additional ancillary services to ensure stable power supply in the Visayas power grids until 2020.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has granted provisional authority (PAs) on NGCP’s ancillary services procurement agreement (ASPA) with Palm Concepcion Power Corp.

PCPC, a joint venture between Palm Thermal Consolidated Holdings Corp. (PTCHC) and Jin Navitas Resource Inc. (JNRI), owns and operates the 2x135-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Concepcion, Iloilo.

The grid operator’s ancillary service with PCPC will be sourced from the power plant, which was issued a certificate of compliance in May last year, allowing it to start operating commercially.

The deal covers up to 15 MW contingency reserve at P1.50 per kwh rate for the firm contracted capacity and also up to 15 MW at P2.25 per kwh for the non-firm or when the firm capacity is not scheduled.

CR is the capacity allocated to cover the loss or failure of a power plant or transmission line in order to maintain the balance in the power grid.

NGCP said the Visayas grid has not yet reached the required levels of contracted ancillary services while demand for power in the region continues to increase.

The ASPA with PCPC will assure the Visayas region of system reliability and grid stability until 2020.

Ancillary services are necessary to support the transmission capacity, maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system and electricity supply in the grid.