NGCP reinforces NL backbone of power grid

Concessionaire firm National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has reinforced the northern Luzon (NL) backbone of the power grid, primarily uprating the network servicing the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga and Apayao provinces.

According to NGCP, the facility improvement is “part of the system operator’s Luzon substation expansion project.” In essence, the scope of work done in that segment “almost doubled the capacity of Tuguegarao substation to 190 megavolt ampere (MVA),” which entails then that the substation “has now more room to transmit additional power supply from new generators.”

Primarily, it was noted that this can “accommodate the incoming demand from Lallo airport and several local businesses in the area.”

NGCP added “the energization of the new transformer is very timely since demand for power increases as the country experiences El Niño and the temperature continues to rise, especially in Tuguegarao.”

The company explained the completed project is in line with the series of substation expansions “to ensure that our facilities operate at an optimal level, and at the same time, are ready to sustain an increase both in power supply and demand.”

The transmission firm expounded that the additional 100MVA could boost and improve the wheeling of capacity to various power distribution networks within the areas covered by the project.

These shall include the Cagayan Electric Cooperatives I and II, Isabela Electric Cooperative, Kalinga Electric Cooperative as well as in underpinning the operations of the National Irrigation Administration.

Following this undertaking, NGCP has indicated it is confident that it “can replicate this achievement in North Luzon and throughout the rest of our facilities.” It has been the mandate of NGCP to expand, upgrade and modernize the country’s power transmission highway – based on the 25-year concession arrangement that it had sealed with the Philippine government.