NGCP upgrades substations in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has upgraded several substations in Mindanao to improve the reliability and transmission of power throughout the grid.

NGCP said the Mindanao substation upgrading project is a step forward in ensuring the reliability and quality of power which is transmitted to distribution utilities, and in turn to homes, businesses, and industries in Mindanao.

The grid operator installed a total of 90 megavolt ampere reactive (MVAR) substation capacity in seven substations from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1.

These are the Nabunturan, San Francisco, Maco, Placer, Butuan, General Santos, and Tacurong substations.

“The additional substation capacity which we installed will help in boosting voltage in these areas, and will help prevent unnecessary power interruptions,” NGCP said. 

The upgrading of various transmission facilities is part of NGCP’s mandate to secure the integrity of the transmission network.

The company also recently energized the Maramag-Bunawan 230 kilo-volt (kV) lines 1 and 2, as well as two new power transformers in Bunawan substation.

The components are part of NGCP’s larger Mindanao 230-kV backbone project, which is slated for completion in January next year.  The project is critical as it will ensure stable and continuous power from north to southern Mindanao. 

Two more 7.5 MVAR capacitor banks in the Pitogo substation are slated for energization before the year ends. 

“We are committed to improving the reliability of our power transmission services, which is why our projects are focused on both long and short term solutions to address the needs of the target area,” NGCP said.

“Mindanao is full of potential for economic growth, and these projects completed and ongoing will make sure that quality power flows continuously throughout the island,” it said.

Meanwhile, NGCP has begun restoration works in Typhoon Tisoy-affected areas as it continues with the aerial inspection and foot patrol of all areas affected, given the large areas of land devastated by the storm.