The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) marked a banner year in 2024. It completed four landmark grid projects that significantly enhanced the reliability and resilience of the countryโs power infrastructure.
January saw the inauguration of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), a groundbreaking initiative connecting major islands and enabling a more unified power grid. In April, NGCP launched the Cebu-Negros-Panay 230-kilovolt (kV) backbone, followed by the Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose 500kV Line in July.
Crowning its achievements, NGCP fully completed the Cebu-Bohol Interconnection Project (CBIP) in September. This critical project enhances transmission services and grid stability in Central Visayas while establishing a transmission highway in Cebuโthe load center of the Visayas regionโto facilitate efficient power flow in and out of the province.
โThese milestones underscore NGCPโs unwavering commitment to advancing grid infrastructure and ensuring a stable, resilient power supply for households, businesses, and industries,โ the company, in a statement, said.
Lower Costs and Better Service
NGCPโs improvements extend beyond infrastructure.
The company offers transmission services at just โฑ0.55 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), a notable reduction from the โฑ0.74 rate under its predecessor, TransCo. This cost accounts for only 3.39% of electricity bills, with generation and distribution charges comprising the majority at 53.17% and 21.81%, respectively.
Since assuming transmission operations in 2009, NGCP has reduced outages by 82%, a testament to its efficiency and reliability in managing the countryโs power grid.
Looking Ahead: Projects in the Pipeline
Building on its 2024 successes, NGCP is set to tackle more ambitious projects in the coming years. Among the highlights are:
- New Antipolo 230kV Substation in Rizal
- Laguindingan 230kV Substation in Misamis Oriental
- Substation Upgrading and Voltage Improvement Projects across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao
Other significant projects include:
- TuguegaraoโLal-lo (Magapit) 230kV Transmission Line
- Ambuklao-Binga-San Manuel 230kV Line
- Western Luzon 500kV Backbone Stage 2
- Marilao Extra High Voltage Substation
- Tuy 500/230 kV Project Stage 1
- Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay 138kV Line
- Cebu-Lapu Lapu 230kV Transmission Line
- Lapu Lapu 230kV Substation Project
- Tacurong-Kalamansig 69 kV Transmission Line Project
NGCP remains committed to enhancing the nationโs power grid despite hurdles in right-of-way acquisition and permitting. โWith support from government agencies, we are optimistic about completing these projects on schedule,โ NGCP affirmed.
Call for Regulatory Support
NGCP renewed its appeal to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for timely approval of its applications, which are vital for project implementation and cost recovery.
โAs a regulated entity, ERCโs support is essential for sustaining our investments and enhancing energy infrastructure reliability and capacity,โ the company emphasized.
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