CDC to build P2.4-B dual transmission line

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines  – Clark Development Corp. (CDC) is set to construct the P2.4-billion Phase III-B project of the Mexico-Clark dual transmission line which is expected to enhance the power generation inside the Clark Freeport.

The entire ecozone is currently enjoying a steady and reliable power supply following the completion of the transmission projects: Phase I-A and IB 69-kilovolt (KV) line and load-end sub station for Texas Instrument; Phase II the Clark-Concepcion dual 230 KV Grid sub-station; and the Phase III-A or the New Clark grid sub-station and load-end sub-station for Phoenix Semiconductor of the Philippines Corp. (PSPC).

In a report, CDC assistant vice president for security and technical services Teresito Tuitoyco said the construction of the Phase III-B transmission grid is expected to commence in December this year and will be operational within the next 12 months.

The Phase III project has a total cost of P3 billion, including the new Clark Grid Sub-Station (Phase 3-A) which amounted close to P600 million and completed during the first quarter of 2011.

The Phase III-A project is part of the power requirement of the new semiconductor plant.

The Mexico-Clark transmission grid project will address the increasing power demand in Clark and ensure the quality and competitiveness of electric power inside the zone.

There are now more than 600 firms inside Clark since the inception of CDC in 1993.

Tuitoyco said with the completion of this project, the dual 230KV lines will be upgraded to supply more reliable power and the old dual 69KV lines which have already served its economic life can be retired and sold to the local electric distribution utilities. The other transmission line is being used by both Pampanga Electric Co. 1 and 2.

With this, Clark can become another important assembly and test destination for electronics and other manufacturing firms.

The government spent more than P770 million for the project, Tuitoyco said.

Phase II is the Clark-Concepcion grid sub-station, which cost more than P573 million, and was completed in September 2009.  

With the completion of Phase III, the transmission loop from Concepcion-Clark-Mexico will be completed and the energy requirement of the entire Clark Freeport zone will be stable and competitive, Tuitoyco said.

The power interruption and fluctuation will be minimized substantially once the transmission grid is completed next year, the CDC official added.

The CDC is also currently facilitating meetings with appropriate agencies on the discounted power rate issues on two semiconductor firms inside the zone.