NGCP: Hermosa-San Jose line now fully energized

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has fully activated the Hermosa-San Jose transmission line (HSJ) but hopes to recover the remaining project costs following its completion last Sunday.

The P17.3-billion transmission line covering the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan has a full capacity of 8,000 megawatts (MW) and can accommodate additional power generation for the Luzon grid.

Of the actual cost of the HSJ, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has allowed the NGCP to recover P19 million only, or roughly 0.1 percent of the project cost.

“With the completion of this critical project, NGCP is optimistic that the ERC will act on the overdue recoveries applied for by NGCP,” the power grid operator said.

In May 2023, the NGCP energized the HSJ Line 1 with a 2,000-MW transfer capacity, only a quarter of its full capacity pending the completion of the then-unfinished portion of the line. It was fully completed last month.

Following the completion of Line 2, the HSJ can now accommodate 8,000 MW in generation capacity, more than enough for existing and any incoming generation.

“NGCP completes this landmark energy project under the leadership and guidance of President Marcos. This marks the full completion and energization at full capacity of this critical facility, strengthening and expanding the grid under NGCP,” it said.

The transmission line is part of the P20.94-billion Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose 500-kilovolt facility, which is certified as an Energy Project of National Significance (EPNS).

The Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose line covers 395 transmission towers, 275.6 circuit kilometers of transmission lines, two new substations and 2,000 megavolt-amperes in substation capacity.

Although it is EPNS-certified, the project still encountered various issues, particularly on right-of-way due to objections from landowners, long judicial processes and protracted permitting.

The project was delayed after a temporary restraining order (TRO) was issued by the Supreme Court for a portion of the line owned by Phirst Park Homes Inc.

The NGCP immediately complied with the order upon receipt in July 2023, stopping activities along Towers 170-178, which stalled the ongoing stringing of the line’s remaining circuit.

In a resolution promulgated in April this year, the High Tribunal ordered the lifting of the TRO.

“NGCP assures the public and its stakeholders that it will continue to deliver on its commitment to improve, expand, strengthen and reinforce the country’s power grid,” the company added.