The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said it will invest in more power substations nationwide after having spent P6.47 billion for just such projects since 2009.
NGCP claimed such projects were filed with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) since 2006 but have not yet received provisional approval from the regulatory body.
But given the operational need, the NGCP proceeded with their implementation, setting aside for later, the issue on recovery approvals from the ERC.
“Our priority has and will always be doing what is best for the public. Financial considerations can take a back seat and be threshed out later. We hope to correct the impression that the consumers are somehow shortchanged with how rates are computed. Our commitment has never wavered: we serve the public, and we work within the legal and regulatory framework of our concession and franchise,” NGCP said in a statement.
Since taking over transmission operations in 2009, NGCP invested P3.29 billion in upgrades across 15 of its substation and converter stations to cater to the increasing load growth of the system.
From 2018 to 2021, it also replaced 33 power transformers and improved the efficiency and reliability of substation operations alongside 12 transformers in North Luzon, four in the National Capital Region, five in South Luzon, three in Visayas and nine in Mindanao for a total equipment cost of $37.7 million or P1.8 billion in local currency.
Fourteen spare power transformers worth $14.6 million or P764 Million were also delivered to six substations in North Luzon, five in South Luzon, one in Visayas and two in Mindanao.
The company also procured mobile transformer units that can be moved, installed and energized in less than 36 hours to restore power in specific localities. Four mobile transformer units worth $12.1 million or P612 million have been delivered to substations in Mexico in Pampanga, Daraga in Albay, Cadiz in Bacolod and in South Cotabato.
