Napocor energizes 41-km Calapan-Galera power line

The National Power Corporation (Napocor) on Saturday energized the 69 kV Calapan – Puerto Galera transmission line in Oriental Mindoro, improving the reliability of power dispatch in the province.

Witnessing the switchon, Department of Energy Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella stressed the importance of strengthening infrastructure facilities to ensure resiliency and sustainability of structures and power supply and to support the booming tourism in Puerto Galera and the entire Mindoro Island.

“The DOE welcomes the developments in Mindoro’s transmission system being implemented by Napocor. The completed and ongoing rehabilitation projects are consistent with the orders of President Duterte and Secretary Al Cusi in addressing energy resiliency and supporting the economic activities of the Mindoreños,” Fuentebella said.

Napocor president and CEO Pio Benavides said, “the 41-km transmission line has undergone rehabilitation works which covered the replacing of wood poles with steel and installation of new insulators, power conductors and other line hardware.”

Benavidez said the completion of the P337 million rehab would consequently help the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative Inc. (Ormeco) ease the operation of their 13.8 kV distribution line and record savings from a reduced systems loss.

“It can contribute to the efficiency of electricity services that results to more savings to Mindoreños,” he said.

However, Napocor said that of the total 336 pole structures of the transmission line, six structures were not included in the rehabilitation due to right-of-way (ROW) issues.

“Right-of-way issues are the usual factors that hamper our energy projects. Nonetheless, we see to it that we find ways to resolve them either through further negotiations with assistance from the local government units or through rerouting measures,” Benavidez said.

Napocor has also energized earlier this week the 69 kV Mobo – Cataingan transmission line in Masbate to also assist the 13.8 kV distribution line of the Masbate Electric Cooperative Inc. (MASELCO).