In San Fernando VECO opens new substation

CEBU, Philippines — The Visayan Electric Company (VECO) inaugurated yesterday its new substation and switching station to serve the sprouting households and establishments in San Fernando town, the southernmost edge of its franchise area, and some neighboring villages in the City of Naga.

The new substation in Barangay Panadtaran, San Fernando is seen to address the increasing power demand and booming economy of the town, said VECO chief operating officer Anton Perdices.

"We intend to provide ample and stable power to residentials and commercials here... the substation is important because this feeds power lines which connect to households and businesses," he told reporters during the blessing and inauguration of the facility on Thursday morning.

A substation helps reduce the high voltage of electrical power transmission to make it suitable for supply to consumers.

The 1,200 square meter facility, which is the 20th substation of VECO, has a total capacity of 12.5 mega volt amp (mva). The project costs about P70 million, including lot acquisition and installation of equipment.

San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya was elated by the development since for her, it will surely contribute in boosting "economic dynamism."

She revealed that a proposed P3.6 billion passenger-type international port in Barangay South Poblacion is expected to be built next year.  The bidding is set on January and ground breaking may follow by March.

She said this project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has an allocated initial budget of over P350 million sourced from the 2018 funds.

The facility also serves as switching station to back up the other station in Naga City if in case the latter becomes dysfunctional.

Reluya says there are less fault lines in her town, thus, less risky for earthquakes.

A switching station is a facility that is capable of collecting and distributing power from different sources.

Aside from the new facility in San Fernando, VECO plans to rehabilitate its existing substations and build two other substations in barangays Mambaling (near Cebu South Coastal Road) and Lahug in Cebu City.

Meanwhile, electricity consumption is expected to surge this Christmas and New Year season.

But VECO made sure that there is no scheduled service interruption on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

Perdices said consumption may increase during these holidays but he assured that there is much power supply that will not disturb the merrymaking and celebrations.

He added as much as VECO wants to spare these days from power outages and interruptions, weather disturbances remain a threat that might destroy power lines. (FREEMAN)