DOE welcomes power firm’s 82-MW grid synch

CEBU, Philippines - To increase the development of industries in the Visayas region, the Department of Energy welcomed the announcement of Global Business Power Corporation’s Toledo Power Company’s 1A Expansion Project synchronization to the grid in Toledo City last August 17.

In a statement, DOE-7 regional director Antonio Labios said the 82-megawatt power project made an earlier synchronization due to the efficient execution of the preliminary workings in the plant.

The synchronization to the Visayas grid was originally scheduled for October 2014.

“The new power capacity addition of GBPC will provide a signal to investors for future investment directions as more opportunities await for them because the government, in partnership with the private sector, is continuously paving the way towards a better investment environment,” said Labios.

The additional capacity, the statement said, will directly benefit industrial power consumers in Cebu, specifically in the southern portion of the province and the rest of the Visayas.

Last July, during the Visayas Energy Forum, Undersecretary Loreta Ayson emphasized the importance of energy in addressing the regional economy, which in turn supports the population, and area based development. 

GBCP’s synchronization to the grid was likewise timely as the High Voltage Direct Cable of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines underwent upgrading for 43 days beginning August 16.

HVDC carries up to now 400 megawatts from Visayas to Luzon and 150 megawatts from Luzon to Visayas.

Within the 43-day period, Visayas will be isolated from Luzon.

Visayas has about 1,500-megawatt power demand, of which 800 megawatt is Cebu’s power demand.

Visayas’ dependable capacity is about 1,650 megawatts and with 82 megawatts newly synchronized to the Visayas grid, this will be an additional power to the grid’s reliability.

Earlier, Raul Venerando, NGCP-Visayas head of system operation said they have power reserves, which means there will be no brownout despite HDVC’s upgrade for 43 days, unless power plants, especially large ones, will trip simultaneously.  (FREEMAN)