NGCP set to finish P1.9-B Bohol project

MANILA, Philippines - The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the operator of the country’s power transmission highway, is on track to completing its P1.9-billion transmission and substation project in Bohol this year, a ranking official said.

In a briefing with reporters, NGCP spokesperon Cynthia Perez-Alabanza said the Bohol Backbone Project involves the construction of the Ubay-Corella 138-kilovolt transmission line, which will span 95 kilometers.

Another component of the project is the construction of the new Corella Substation, which will house one 100-megavolt ampere (MVA) transformer, one 138-kV power circuit breaker, and corresponding accessories, she said.

This will serve as an alternative drawdown substation of the Ubay Substation and will reduce the substation’s load by providing a new power delivery point. It will be located near Tagbilaran City, one of the island’s load centers.

NGCP commenced construction of both the transmission line and substation projects in November 2010, which are targeted for completion in the last quarter of 2013.

Alabanza said NGCP decided to push through with the project on the back of the anticipated increase of both power supply and demand in the island.

Furthermore, she said the completion of the Ubay-Corella line and the Corella Substation would not only address the load forecast but also meet the Philippine Grid Code’s N-1 contingency requirement.

“By completing this project, NGCP aims to fully transmit the power generated from the three generators in Bohol to the public,” Alabanza said.

NGCP is a privately-owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining and developing the country’s power transmission network.

It is a joint venture between State Grid Corp. of China and Henry Sy Jr., the eldest son of the country’s richest man Henry Sy.

The company won a 25-year concession to run the country’s transmission assets after it took over through a bidding the management of the transmission network in 2008 from the state-owned National Transmission Co.