NGCP secures add’l ancillary services

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has secured additional ancillary services to ensure stable power supply in the Luzon power grid over the next five years.

This as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) cleared the ancillary services procurement agreement (ASPA) of NGCP with Prime Meridian Powergen Corp. (PMPC).

The grid operator’s ancillary service with PMPC—which will run for five years—will be sourced from the 97-megawatt (MW) San Gabriel Avion natural gas-fired power plant in Batangas.

It covers up to 45 MW regulating reserve (RR) at P2.25 per kwh rate for the firm contracted capacity, up to 45 MW at P3 per kwh for the non-firm or when the firm capacity is not scheduled, and up to the full capacity of the two-unit plant for black start support.

Regulating reserve is the capacity allocated to cover inter and intra-hour variations in demand and is equivalent to four percent of the demand in a specific hour.

The black start support, on the other hand, will provide available capacity to energize the power restoration highway and synchronize to the rest of the grid.

ERC also issued a provisional authority to NGCP and AP Renewables Inc. for their ASPAs which have a term of five years.

Located in Laguna, Makban geothermal plants A and B have two units with a capacity of 63.2 MW each.

NGCP procured ancillary services in the form of reactive power support with AP Renewables’ Makban Geothermal Plant A and B for five years.

Reactive power support refers to the generating units’ capability to inject or absorb reactive power from the grid to maintain the voltage within the standard levels set by the Philippine Grid Code, and support the reliable transmission of electrical power from generating power plants to the consumers.

NGCP said the Luzon grid has not yet reached the desired levels of contracted ancillary services necessary for the system security and reliability.

“As the demand for power in the Luzon increases, the requirements of the system to ensure stability, reliability and security likewise increases. Ensuring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public,” the grid operator said.