NGCP ready to expand CNP project

BACOLOD, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is eyeing further developments to improve power supply amid a projected increase of demand the following years after the completion of a backbone project in the Visayas.

“This can definitely accommodate more incoming supply as well as the growth in demand. This will last around, maybe on average five years to another two to five years,” NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said.

NGCP completed the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) 230 kilovolt (kV) Stage 3 backbone project on March 27, ahead of the end month schedule.

Alabanza disclosed that they have applied to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for an additional submarine cable last year, specifically the lines 3 and 4 submarine cable for the additional capacity.

NGCP submitted the application to ERC sometime in March 2023, according to the spokesperson, so that they will “always (be) ahead.”

The firm has been planning expansion plans for 10 years ahead, said Alabanza.

“We really hope we could see the approvals to be released soon so we wouldn’t always be rushing,” she added.

The additional capacity for the submarine cable lines 3 and 4 are within the same area as the CNP backbone project.

CNP currently has 98.9 circuit kilometers of submarine cables, including the 230 kV lines Talavera-Calatrava and Gahit-Barotac Viejo.

“We need to project the future necessities, and we are hoping that our policy makers and regulators could allow our much needed approvals to continue immediately the projects that are forward looking and will ensure that we stay ahead of the curve,” Alabanza said.

The completion of the project has made transmission of power “easier,” said Alabanza.

However, she said the Cebu and Negros stations have each an area to supply and a “development” must be done so no island should be reliant on each other.

According to Alabanza, the completion of CNP and the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection project lines could allow the sharing of energy between the three islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

“We all know it is important that the development of transmission should go with the development of generation,” the NGCP official said.

“The important thing about the completion of the CNP backbone at 230 kV is that there are now two possible routes to go to (the secluded) islands,” Department of Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said.

The CNP backbone projects currently has 670 transmission towers and a total substation capacity of 3,800 megavolt-amperes, as well as 442 circuit kilometers of overhead transmission lines.