Newly reopened Boracay gets 14.6-B power infra

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) will commence construction of its 14.6-billion power transmission infrastructure that would assure continuous power services in the newly reopened Boracay Island.

The Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay 138kiloVolt (kV) Transmission Line Project will reinforce power transmission services in the Province of Aklan.

The area is currently being served by a single 69kV line.

Boracay Island is projected to see continuous growth in power consumption, according to AKELCO, the electric cooperative servicing the area. An additional power transmission avenue must be built to secure the stability and continuous flow of power to residents and businesses in the area.

The new line will traverse through the municipalities of Nabas and Malay.

NGCP said the project includes the construction of a new 138kV submarine cable between Caticlan and Boracay in order to support the existing line and to increase the resiliency of the transmission system to and from the island.

The transmission network operator will also build an underground 69kV transmission line from Boracay to Manoc-manoc, and another 138kV transmission line from Caticlan to Nabas to add to the amount of power flowing to these areas.

Furthermore, it would secure the integrity of the transmission system.

NGCP will also simultaneously upgrade its Nabas and Boracay substations to accommodate the increase in power capacity.

The cost of the project as applied to the Energy Regulatory Commission is 14.27 billion. Barring delays, the project is expected to be completed by March 2021.

Last October 1, NGCP also met with Secretary Roy Cimatu of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in order to ask his and the government agency’s support not only for the Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay project and the upgrade of the Nabas and Boracay Substations, but also for the expedition of environmental permits such as environmental compliance certificates, tree cutting permits, and special land use permits for critical projects such as the Cebu-Negros-Panay Transmission Line Project, and the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project.

Cimatu, acknowledging the need for uninterrupted power throughout the country, expressed his support to NGCP’s programs and operations in the newly reopened Boracay Island, and will extend his agency’s support to the processing of permits for the company’s projects. NGCP, on the other hand, pledged to fully comply with all requirements of DENR.

NGCP continues to appeal to the local government of Aklan, national government units, energy stakeholders in the area, and the public, to continue to support the project for its swift, uninterrupted, and timely completion.