MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA)--The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) strives to ensure the power grid’s optimal performance as it upgrades its substation facilities nationwide by investing P6.47 billion in substation improvements.

The ongoing substation reliability project and improvements introduced by NGCP were filed with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Although some projects implemented from 2016 onwards had not yet received the ERC’s provisional approval, the transmission provider opted to proceed with their implementation given the operational need and set aside the issue of recovery approvals from the ERC for later.

"Our priority has and will always be doing what is best for the public. Financial considerations can take a back seat and be threshed out later," the NGCP management stressed.

The management of NGCP wants to dispel the notion that rates unfairly treat customers. They also assure the public that their commitment to serving the public has never wavered and that they continue to work within the legal and regulatory framework of their concession and franchise.

Since taking over transmission operations in 2009, the NGCP has invested P3.289 billion in upgrades across 15 of its substations and converter stations in Taytay, Binan, Quezon, Abaga, Mexico, San Jose, Sucat, Compostela, Davao, Ormoc, Naga, Araneta, Agus 2, Calaca, Agus 6, and Tiwi A and C. These improvements cater to the increasing load growth and reliability of the system.

The NGCP also implemented power transformer replacements to update old and aging transformers installed prior to the privatization of the transmission grid. From 2018 to 2021, the NGCP replaced 33 power transformers and improved the efficiency and reliability of substation operations.

Twelve transformers were replaced in North Luzon, four in NCR, five in South Luzon, three in Visayas, and nine in Mindanao, for a total equipment cost of US$37.7 million, or P1.8 billion.

Further, 14 extra power transformers worth US$14.6 million or P764 million were also delivered to 6 substations in North Luzon, 5 in South Luzon, 1 in Visayas, and 2 in Mindanao.  

The NGCP constantly prepares for possible effects of man-made and natural calamities that may affect the continuous transmission of power. The company included the procurement of mobile transformer units that can be moved, installed, and energized within the region in less than 36 hours to restore power serving specific localities.

Four portable transformer units worth US$12.1 million, or P612 million, have been delivered to substations in Mexico in Pampanga, Daraga in Albay, Cadiz in Bacolod, and South Cotabato.

With all the improvements being undertaken, they are assuring the public that they will continually implement projects to improve substation operations for the efficient and reliable delivery of power and invest in the best technology to serve their customers better. (NGCP/PIA-10)