NGCP boosts substation serving Ilocos wind farms

SAN ESTEBAN, Ilocos |Sur -- Power grid operator and transmission service provider National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) recently announced an increase in the capacity of its substation here with the upgrading of its power transformer from 50megaVolt amperes (50MVA) to 100MVA and increase power for Luzon grid.

With this expansion, NGCP had boosted the capability and reliability of the power transformer to accommodate the growing generation capacity from wind farms in Ilocos Norte such as the Energy Development Corporation in Burgos, North Luzon Renewable Energy Corporation in Pagudpud, and North Luzon Wind Power Corporation in Bangui.

NGCP’s San Esteban Substation is a critical link to the grid as it transmits around 280 megawatts to the Luzon Grid.

This project also caters to the increasing load demand from connected power customers Abra Electric Cooperative (ABRECO), Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative (ISECO), and Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC).

The upgraded transformer was energized at last Sept. 5.

The San Esteban Substation now has two100-MVA power transformers.

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, towers, substations, and related assets.

The consortium, which holds the 25-year concession contract to operate the country’s power transmission network, is comprised of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. led by Henry Sy, Jr., Calaca High Power Corporation led by Robert Coyiuto, Jr., and the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) as technical partner.