No immediate need to link up Mindanao and Leyte - DOE

MANILA, Philippines - Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras sees no immediate need for the implementation of Leyte-Mindanao Interconnection Project (LMIP).

“There’s a bigger problem in Mindanao, and the LMIP is not the immediate solution to it. So I’d rather push for other options,” he said.

He said there are projects within the Mindanao grid that should be focused on.

“Between that (LMIP) and fixing the Mindanao grid – because of the low voltage problems that are affecting the metering there. I’d rather the immediate investments for Mindanao be in enhancing the existing grid in Mindanao,” he said.

Almendras took note of some crucial transmission lines in the island grid.

“There’s a transmission line from Lanao coming to Davao, which was halted because of right of way issue, I had the opportunity to work with Representative Dimaporo and she promised to help. We may have to realign it to make sure we avoid the religiously-sensitive and culturally-sensitive areas,” he said.

He said he had already relayed this concern with the operator of the country’s transmission highway.

“That’s another thing I discussed with NGCP (National Grid Corp. of the Philippines), where I said I’ll help them get that line together but they to give the improvements on the grid to which NGCP has also promised to submit their grid enhancement program in due time,” he said.

He said having embedded generation within the island could be one of the options.

“Yes, (there should be embedded generation) because the cost of transferring the line is going to be expensive. It can be done, but it’s going to be expensive,” he said.

“So you’re better off investing it there. Anyway, there are people who are already saying they will build power plants in Mindanao, if the right pricing structure is in place. It’s another problem.”

It would be noted that NGCP had alredy formed a special working group to look closely on LMIP.

To show strong commitment to pursue the project, NGCP said it intends to include the estimated P10 billion LMIP in the latest Transmission Development Plan (TDP).