NGCP rehabilitates Binga substation

ITOGON,Benguet - The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is currently undertaking the P255 million rehabilitation of its Binga Substation located at Sitio Binga, Barangay Tinongdan here to accommodate the increased capacity of the 105-megawatt Ambuklao and the 120 megawatt Binga Hydro Electric Power Plants of SN Aboitiz Power Benguet (SNAP) and other future generation projects in the Cordillera region.

Lilibeth Gaydowen, NGCP public relations officer in Northern Luzon, said the USD6.3-million substation and switchyard upgrade project is the first stage of the Binga-San Manuel 230-kiloVolt (kV) transmission project.

“The project involves the replacement of old power circuit breakers and associated equipment; installation, testing and commissioning of a new 50-megavolt ampere (MVA) power transformer; and the construction of control building, lineman’s quarters, pump house and access roads,” she told Manila Standard, adding that the upgrading project is geared towards effectively and efficiently delivering quality power to the consumers in its service areas in the different parts of Northern Luzon.

According to her, the substation component is scheduled to be completed on the 1st quarter of 2013. The second stage involving the installation of 230-kV lines connecting Binga to San Manuel is currently on its pre-construction phase.

“The Binga-San Manuel 230-kV transmission project aims to upgrade the existing line to maintain the provision of N-1 contingency, taking into consideration the increase in capacity of hydroelectric power plants in the area,” she stressed, noting that power load is expected to increase in the future with the upcoming construction of power plants in the different parts of the Cordillera, thus, the need for NGCP to be at par with the development of power plants to prevent unavoidable power outages in the future.

Gaydowen explained NGCP’s N-1 contingency enables the power grid to sustain its integrity in case of a loss of a major component of the system.

The NGCP spokeswoman added A related project called the Ambuklao-Binga 230-kV transmission project is also on its pre-construction stage. Line 1 of the existing Ambuklao-Binga corridor is already more than 50 years old having been commissioned in 1956.

“The improvement is also expected to boost the reliability of the line once completed since it is expected to accommodate increase power from the operation of the plants that are now undergoing rehabilitation and construction,” she stressed.

NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines and towers, substations and related assets. NGCP’s regular maintenance activities and expansion projects aim to enhance the reliability and quality of electricity delivered to customers.  

The 105-megawatt Ambuclao dam is now in full operation following its 3-year rehabilitation while the 120-megawatt Binga dam is on the final stages of its rehabilitation in order to have a combined power output of 225 megawatts that will be instrumental in helping stabilize the power supply of the Luzon grid in the coming years.