Close to a hundred power generation projects generating 25,511.066 megawatts (MW) have been cleared for system impact studies (SIS) with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), according to the Department of Energy (DOE).
SIS ensure the additional power does not destabilize the system or whether certain adjustments are needed such as more transmission lines, transformers or substations.
The bulk or 89 of 96 applications were from renewable energy projects the biggest of which come from the Vind Energy Corp.’s 3,038 MW offshore wind project in Occidental Mindoro and Batangas.
In September alone, 16 clearances were issued to renewable energy providers of 4,371.393 MW the biggest of whom was
Domhain Earth Corp.’s 1,830 MW Calatagan offshore wind farm also in Batangas and Occidental Mindoro.
Projects under SIS are not assured of access to the grid due to factors including funding, line availability and off take agreements, among others.
The NGCP had said it is outsourcing some aspects of the SIS pending accreditation by the Energy Regulatory Commission.
This, it added, is among the series of actions lined up to augment its capabilities and speed up the resolution of SIS challenges presented by the lengthy queue of proposed power plant connections.
The NGCP also adopted the cluster approach by grouping together power plants with a common connection point to streamline the process and accelerate the evaluation their evaluation, enhancing the efficiency and reducing the waiting time for power plant developers.
The company also said that due to the rising demand for power, SIS applications have surged. Historically, however, the majority do not push through with their initial plans and only 28 percent of completed SIS result in the establishment of actual power plants.
