NGCP commits to expedite transmission side solutions

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is fast-tracking the completion of the Cebu-Negros-Panay 230-kilovolt (kV) backbone project as part of efforts to  provide  transmission side solutions to boost the country’s energy sector.

“We continue to look for opportunities for improvement, for broader solutions to long standing energy issues, as we coordinate with other energy players for a synchronized plan of action,” NGCP said.

“For its part, NGCP is also committed to expedite transmission side solutions, including the completion of the Cebu-Negros-Panay 230-kV backbone project,” the company said.

The company earlier said among the projects it intends to complete this year is the Cebu-Negros-Panay stage 3 backbone project.

NGCP had already energized the Cebu-Negros-Panay 230-kV backbone stage 1, interconnecting Cebu, Negros, and Panay for faster and more efficient power sharing.

NGCP, however, said all sectors of the industry must be involved to create a lasting solution to energy issues.

The company has identified several solutions involving all sectors of the energy industry, such as clearance of line obstructions, review of generator settings, improvement in generation planning, enhancement of information dissemination, effective use of emerging technologies, acceleration of grid reinforcement projects, and review of the grid code.

“The energy sector is an interconnected system among generators, the transmission network, and distribution utilities or electric cooperatives. We have long advocated that a holistic approach to power planning, particularly proper, mindful, and responsible generation and transmission planning, are key to a stable grid,” NGCP said.

“Basic principles, such as individual island self-sufficiency, decreased inter-island interdependency, and transmission redundancies, must be considered. Improvements must be made on the entire system,” it said.

NGCP holds a 25-year concession and a 50-year Congressional franchise to expand and operate the country’s power transmission grid.

Since 2009, it has completed a total of 56 projects, with investments in the transmission system amounting to P300 billion.

Meanwhile, NGCP at the House Committee on Energy hearing Tuesday clarified the events which led to the series of outages in Negros and Panay last April 27 to 29.

NGCP explained that although the April 27 disturbance was identified at the Bacolod-Silay 69-kV line, which is co-owned with the Central Negros Electric Cooperative Inc., no fault was found along the NGCP-owned segment and its protection system functioned as intended.

Subsequently, it said Palm Concepcion Power Corp., with estimated generation load of 135 megawatts, tripped 1.3 seconds after fault clearing.

NGCP said the resulting undervoltage and underfrequency were severe and unrecoverable, directly causing the tripping of other power plants, and ultimately, the Panay sub-grid collapse.

The subsequent trippings that occurred on April 28 and 29 were a direct result of the avoidable events of April 27, according to the company.