Clark to add runway on power substation relocation

MANILA, Philippines - Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) can now expand with an additional runway after Clark Electric Distribution Corp. (CEDC) was cleared to relocate its substation facility in the area.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved CEDC’s application for an emergency capital expenditure (capex) project called Development of Roxas 50 MVA, 69 KV-13.8 KV Substation.

The project involves the relocation of the Diamante Substation to the Roxas district and the replacement of the old 25 MVA 69 kV-13.8 kV power transformer with a higher capacity 50 MVA, 69 kV-13.8 kv power transformer.

In its application, CEDC said the relocation is due primarily to the CIAC’s plan to construct an additional runway that involves the dismantling of the existing Diamante Substation.

The ERC also approved the project considering the existing substation is expected to be critically loaded at 100 percent by 2020.

“The expansion of a vital piece of infrastructure such as an airport involves the development of industrial, commercial and even residential establishments leading to socio-economic growth and progress. The ERC approved the application of CEDC to enable it to fulfill its mandate of providing reliable service connection to existing and new consumers and ensuring the safe operation of electric facilities”, ERC chairman and CEO Jose Vicente B. Salazar said.

The ERC said opportunity to up-rate the power transformer together with the relocation is a wise strategic engineering practice and that would prove advantageous to CEDC and its customers.

The ERC also saw the need to augment the transformers to enable CEDC to cater its existing and upcoming loads and demands to be brought by the CIAC’s extension.

The Development of Roxas 50 MVA, 69 kV-13.8 kV Substation had been started and expected to be completed by 2017. The project cost estimate totals P198.5 M and will be financed through internally generated funds.

CEDC is the sole electric distribution company in the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga.