NGCP sees Batangas-Mindoro link completed 2 years ahead of schedule

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has committed to fast-track the completion of the Batangas-Mindoro interconnection, with the project now expected to be finished two years ahead of its original schedule, according to the Department of Energy.

DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said NGCP has agreed with the government’s request to complete the project two years earlier.

Instead of 2027, the Batangas-Mindoro interconnection project will now be completed by end 2025.

“The DOE requested and they said they can do it. NGCP is cooperative,” Guevara said.

Guevara said once the interconnection project is completed, the universal charge for missionary electrification or UCME being collected will be reduced by 20 percent.

Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001, UCME is collected from end-users. Collections will be used for the electrification of remote communities or areas not connected to the main transmission grid.

NGCP received approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission last February for the Batangas-Mindoro interconnection project.

However, prior to approval, NGCP said it has undertaken pre-construction work for the project.

The project, which involves laying down of submarine cable, installation of overhead transmission lines and the development of substations, is part of NGCP’s commitment to improve and deliver reliable power transmission services.

The interconnection of Mindoro to the Luzon grid will ensure reliable and affordable electricity, according to NGCP.

Mindoro has been plagued by power issues, including frequent power interruption, heavily subsidized generation rates due to heavy dependence on diesel and bunker fuel, delays in proposed energy projects, uneven electrification rates, and administrative issues of electric cooperatives in the island.

As the country’s sole power grid operator, NGCP said it has significantly expanded the country’s transmission network since it took over transmission operations from the government in 2009.

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