Consumers to shoulder P152-M VisMin grid link studies

MANILA, Philippines – The expenses to be incurred to conduct feasibility studies for the interconnection of the Visayas and Mindanao power grids will be charged to consumers, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said yesterday.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has applied for the approval of the feasibility studies amounting to P152,462,757.16, the ERC said.

“The cost of the feasibility study will be charged to consumers at a national rate,” ERC commissioner Josefina Magpale-Asirit told a media forum.

The NGCP sought regulatory clearance to conduct the study in November.

Two options are being considered: the eastern route from Southern Leyte to Surigao del Norte and the western route from Cebu-Negros to Zamboanga del Norte.

The NGCP had spent P91 million for the eastern route feasibility study.

The power grid interconnection, which will allow the sharing of excess electricity via submarine cables and overhead transmission lines, was first proposed in the 1980s.