BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is fully prepared for the surge in power demand from the Visayas as the 230-kiloVolt Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) backbone project formally connected to the grid for the first time.
Cynthia Alabanza, NGCP assistant vice president and head of public relations department, told reporters that part of its preparations was last year’s petition before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for additional submarine cables to accommodate the CNP.
“These types of equipment are not something easily available in the market. So, as early as March 2023, we applied for additional capacity for the submarine cable so that we’re always ahead,” Alabanza said.
Projects of the nature typically take five years to complete.
“We really need to project future power demand and we are hopeful that our policy makers and regulators quickly approve our (need) to pursue these projects that are forward looking and ensure that we stay ahead of the curve,” Alabanza added.
The CNP backbone that includes the Negros-Panay Interconnection Project Line 2 is comprised of three stages the last of which was completed in March this year. The project complements the existing Amlan-Samboan submarine cable that connects the Cebu and Negros islands. The first stage of the project added a new 230-kV transmission line while the second stage upgraded the Cebu substation to the 230-kV level.
The CNP is comprised of 670 transmission towers spanning 442 circuit kilometers of overhead lines, 98.9 circuit kilometers of submarine cables in 10 new substations and the expansion of two existing major substations.
The four-stage P43.41 billion project was filed for ERC approval as early as 2013 but the ERC granted provisional approval of only a year’s worth of capital expenditure of P176.75 million in 2017 and has yet to issue a final approval.
The cost of the entire CNP backbone project as filed amounts to P67.98 billion but Line 2 of the Negros-Panay interconnection project is still pends at the ERC.
“While the CNP will help improve the delivery of power, this is not the sole or primary solution to the woes of power consumers, particularly in Panay. Sufficient power generation supported by reliable transmission is the formula for optimized energy development. This will support the country’s push towards economic recovery,” NGCP said in a statement.
