NGCP enhances power transmission to Northern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 5 (PNA) – The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is upbeat of bringing more stable power supply to Northern Samar through the rehabilitation of existing transmission lines.

The rehabilitation of 69- kV (kilo Volt) line from Palanas village in Calbayog City in Samar to the provincial capital of Catarman in Northern Samar will be completed early next year, the NGCP said in a statement.

The project will include the installation of 169 steel poles – replacing old and dilapidated wood poles – to bolster the transmission line’s integrity.

The line, which transmits power to Northern Samar Electric Cooperative (NORSAMELCO), is part of the nationwide network of transmission assets NGCP took over as power transmission service provider in 2009.

To give way to line upgrade, the NGCP implements a nine-hour power shutdown in Northern Samar every Saturday beginning Nov. 14, 2015 to Jan. 23, 2016. The province has 64,712 power consumers as mid-2015.

“It is part of NGCP’s mandate to ensure the stability and reliability of transmission lines and facilities. The replacement of wood poles along the Palanas-Cara-Catarman line not only ensures efficient and secure delivery of power to our customers in Northern Samar, but also enhances the stability of the entire Visayas grid,” the NGCP stated

“For typhoon-prone Samar, this development will lessen the impact of natural disasters on power transmission in the future. NGCP also continues to study other possible improvements on transmission services for future implementation in the area.”

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 holds a 25-year concession contract to operate the country's power transmission network.

The consortium is comprised of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. led by Henry Sy, Jr., Calaca High Power Corp. led by Robert Coyiuto, Jr., and the State Grid Corp. of China as technical partner. (PNA)
RMA/Sarwell Q. Meniano