NGCP: Sufficient power supply for Luzon grid

By Peter Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said there is sufficient supply of power for Luzon provided no force majeure happens affecting the energy industry.

Lawyer Cynthia Alabanza, the corporation’s spokesperson,  said NGCP’s gross power supply reserve is sufficient to fill in the needed supply for Luzon as projected in their weekly power outlook.

NGCP’s Sept. 26 to Oct. 2 weekly power outlook showed 1,437MW gross reserve on Oct. 1 which is  high against a possible occurrence of a power crisis from projection of 600MW shortage in Luzon in 2015.

Late September, NGCP’s gross reserve for Luzon was pegged at 1,658MW; Sept. 29 at 1,573MW, Sept. 30 at 1,469MW; and Oct. 2 at 1,407MW.

Alabanza said the power outlook is subject to change depending on actual power system conditions. “What also changes decision particularly on the part of government is the condition of power generation plants like if one or two plants collapse or are undergoing repair,” she said.

To ensure power supply reliability, Redi Allan Remoroza, transmission planning department head, said construction of towers and power lines of the 118 km 230KV Santiago-Tuguegarao Line 2 project is ongoing and would be done in 2015 He said there is also plan for a 64 km. Tuguegarao-Magapit 230 KV Line Project targeted completed in 2017.

“The 230KV power line serves as a buffer in the event that 69kV lines collapse as a result of calamity damages.

Another NGCP project is to increase capacity of sub-stations with the ongoing installation of 100 MVA transformer at Tuguegarao City targeted to be completed in December 2014. The long term transmission development is the North Luzon 230kV Loop.

NGCP said replacement of destroyed and rotten poles along  its  69kV power line between Solana, Cagayan and this city is a continuing activity to ensure reliability of power for consumers.

Alexander Alvarez, operations and maintenance head of Cagayan Valley area that covers the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao, said they have replaced 20 percent of wooden posts to steel along said stretch.

“This is a continuing project and we assure our consumers that reliability of power is our utmost goal along this plan,” he said.