The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved three major capital expenditure projects of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) totaling P38.09 billion. These are expected to significantly enhance the reliability and stability of the country’s power transmission infrastructure, particularly in the Luzon and Visayas regions.
In a statement, the ERC confirmed the adoption of three key resolutions paving the way for the development of the 230 kV Northern Luzon loop, 500 kV Bolo-Balaoan transmission line, and the Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay transmission project.
The largest of the three projects, the P17.09 billion Bolo-Balaoan 500 kV transmission line, will serve as backbone for the northwestern Luzon grid. Set for completion by November 2026, the project is designed to enhance grid reliability and support the integration of offshore wind power and other renewable energy projects in the region. Additionally, it will provide infrastructure for liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects currently in development.
Meanwhile, the 230 kV Northern Luzon loop project worth P16.8 billion aims to modernize the existing transmission corridor in the provinces of Cagayan, Kalinga, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte. Slated for completion by March 2028, the project will help harness the region’s generation potential, boosting the grid’s capacity to accommodate increasing demand for power.
In the Visayas, the P4.2 billion Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay transmission project will address power overloading issues in key substations and transmission lines, ensuring a more stable power supply to the Panay Islands. The project is expected to be completed by May 2025.
ERC chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said the projects’ approval underscores the agency’s commitment to ensuring the reliability, security, and affordability of the country’s electricity supply. “It is critical for NGCP to ensure the efficient and timely completion of these projects so that we can meet the growing demand for electricity in our communities, businesses, and industries,” Dimalanta said.
