NGCP warns of Mindanao grid collapse

MANILA, Philippines – The Mindanao grid may collapse as landowners continue to refuse entry to linemen who will repair toppled transmission towers, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) warned yesterday.

In a statement, the NGCP said only one transmission line, the Maramag-Bunawan 138-kiloVolt line, is operational.

“If the said line is in any way compromised, no power will flow from the remaining Agus hydro facilities to south of Mindanao where the bulk of power demand is located,” the grid operator said.

“Davao City and General Santos City…are in real danger of being completely cut off from the bulk supply coming from the hydro facilities,” it added.

The NGCP placed the Mindanao grid on red alert from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. yesterday due to the isolation of the Agus 1 and Agus 2 hydroelectric power plants.

It was the second time this week that the Mindanao grid was placed on red alert.

Agus 1 and 2 are connected to the grid through the Agus 2-Kibawe 138-kV line. Tower 25 along the line in Ramain, Lanao del Sur, which was bombed on Dec. 24 and has yet to be repaired.

The NGCP said the owners of the property – Johnny, Intan and Naguib Sambitori – did not allow NGCP personnel to clear and restore the toppled lines.

“Negotiations with the Sambitoris were unsuccessful because the owners alleged the government failed to pay their claims long ago,” it said.