Transco unveils Leyte-Bohol power linkup

Local officials and business leaders of the island province of Bohol recently lauded the completion of the National Transmission Corp. (Transco) P700-million Leyte-Bohol interconnection project, saying the link-up "is a vital component in the preservation of the natural beauty of this tourist destination".

The project, funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), is designed to provide an additional 260 circuit kilometers of 138 kilovolt transmission lines and 130 megavolt-ampere substation capacity in the Visayas region. With the completion of the project, the transmission lines now have the capability to transport 100 megawatts of power, up from the previous 40 megawatts.

Transco president Dr. Alan T. Ortiz said the linkup will stabilize the power supply and allow for a more secure, efficient and reliable electricity in both Southern Leyte and Bohol.

The project includes the upgrading of a transmission substation in Ubay town to 100 megavolt-amperes. Ortiz said the upgrading is enough to meet Bohol’s power requirements in the next 10 years. He expressed confidence that the assurance of reliable power supply "will augur well for the entry of more investments and the expansion of businesses in Bohol".

Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Vincent Perez Jr. said the linkup will bring in electricity generated from geothermal plants in nearby Leyte.

Perez said the "clean energy" coming from Leyte will "boost the province’s bid to become the home and the model of environmentally responsible electricity".

With sufficient power coming from the Leyte geothermal plants, Perez said the National Power Corp. may opt to retire an old diesel-powered generator in the island that has provided electricity to Bohol over the past few decades.

This possible retirement of the diesel generator would make Bohol’s energy sources completely environment-friendly, sustainable and renewable, Perez pointed out.

Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado said this will boost the province’s bid to protect its rich wildlife and marine life. This will also ensure the preservation of the quality of the province’s beaches and diving areas, he added.

Perez said the energy sector is fully supporting Bohol’s aspiration to "rely fully on so-called clean energy". He said the government is backing studies on the possibility of setting up wind farms in at least two locations in the island province – Candijay and Guindulman.

There are international investors interested in projects such as this, he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Ortiz said Transco is set to complete three other major transmission projects for the Visayas region in the short-term. These are the P1.23- billion Western Visayas Transmission Upgrading and Substation Capacity Addition program; a similar P285 million program for Central Visayas, and a P737 million program for Eastern Visayas.