NGCP seeks ERC OK for P90.7 billion BMIBP project

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is seeking a provisional authority for its P90.66-billion transmission project meant to provide transmission connection between the provinces of Batangas and Mindoro.

The NGCP filed an application to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the immediate implementation of the proposed 500-kilovolt (kV) Batangas-Mindoro interconnection and backbone project (BMIBP).

Mindoro Island’s current power system consists of 69-kV transmission lines connected to various load-end substations operated by independent power producers and the National Power Corp.’s Small Power Utilities Group.

With the forecasted increase in demand for the island, the grid operator pointed out that the current power system could no longer accommodate future load requirements.

The proposed project, the NGCP said, will enable the delivery of sufficient power from the Luzon grid to immediately address the present and foreseen supply deficiencies in Mindoro.

To make this possible, drawdown substations will be constructed and linked to the existing 69-kV network in Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.

The BMIBP’s implementation scheme will be composed of two stages.

The first stage involves the development of overhead transmission lines and submarine cables from the Pinamucan substation in Batangas to the proposed Calapan substation in Oriental Mindoro.

The second stage, on the other hand, involves the energization of the transmission lines and submarine cables as well as the full development of the 500-kV Calapan substation.

The grid operator intends to spend about P45.6 billion for the first phase and P45.06 billion for the second phase.

Apart from addressing power woes in Mindoro, the upgraded interconnection project is also expected to help cater to 28,000 megawatts (MW) worth of offshore wind projects promoted by the government, the NGCP said.

“The BMIBP will also encourage the development of power generation potential in Mindoro Island, such as renewable energy in two competitive renewable energy zones with an aggregate capacity of around 343 MW for solar photovoltaic and 710 MW for wind farms,” it added.