NGCP installs 230kV alternate line for NL

By Peter A. Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has started installing a 230kV new power line along the Santiago City-Tuguegarao City stretch to serve as alternate line for northern Luzon in case of power interruption affecting the existing 69kV lines.

Lilibeth  Gaydowen, NGCP north Luzon regional corporation communication and public affairs officer,  said the project was approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission and is expected  to be completed in 2014.

“This is one of NGCP’s contribution to the Public-Private Partnership program of the Aquino administration by ensuring undisrupted power supply transmission,” she said.

In an interview, Gaydowen  said in case of power shut down affecting the 69kV line, power will be shifted to the new lines.

This will ensure economic activities on will go on during calamities since the high voltage alternate line substitutes the 69kV line if damaged.

According to  Gaydowen, the high voltage lines mounted on towers could withstand strong typhoons  adding  that even if 69kV poles fell, calamity -affected areas will have electricity transmitted by new lines.

“With operating voltages less than 34.5 kV, the distribution system carries energy from the local substation to individual households, using both overhead and underground lines.”

With operating voltage of 69-138 kV, the sub-transmission system reportedly distributes energy and regularly uses overhead lines.

“For voltage exceeding 230 kV, the transmission system interconnects generating stations and large substations located close to load centers by using overhead lines,” she said.

Gaydowen said NGCP is doing its responsibility of putting online the right mix of power plants that generate high-voltage electricity and transmitting those to distribution utilities which in turn deliver electricity at a lower voltage to households and other users.

           

NGCP is working on means to keep power supply flowing to the distribution utilities, she added.

           

A private corporation, NGCP won the government’s 50-year congressionally granted franchise to operate and maintain the country’s transmission network.