NGCP seeks government support for critical power projects

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is seeking government support as its ongoing critical transmission projects may face further delays due to new travel ban imposed by the government.

NGCP is raising concerns over further delays on the completion of critical projects meant for the improvement of the power grid amid the travel ban put in place to prevent the entry of the new strain of COVID-19.

The government has imposed a travel ban until January 15 on foreign travelers coming from areas where the new strain of the COVID-19 first recorded in the United Kingdom.

As it expects further delays due to the travel ban, NGCP is seeking the government’s consideration to allow its suppliers, as well as shipments of essential transmission equipment, to enter the country, while observing all safety protocols and strict compliance to health standards.

“NGCP understands the need to control the virus and prevent the new strain from affecting our people, but there must also be creative ways in place to balance health concerns with the need to keep the economy afloat,” the company said.

“NGCP’s critical projects cannot face any further delays as this may have an implication on the stability and reliability of power transmission services, especially with the growing demand for power. We hope this will also be taken into consideration,” it said.

The submarine cable laying activity for the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), for example, faces new delays with the vessel carrying the said transmission equipment unable to enter the country due to the travel ban, it said.

At the height of the nationwide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), NGCP was constrained to temporarily suspend its construction projects to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

The MVIP, which was originally scheduled for completion this year, is now delayed due to the lockdown imposed by the government to control the spread of COVID-19.

NGCP has revised the timeline of critical project, considered as the largest energy infrastructure in the history of the country, to 2021.

The grid operator said it has ramped up the construction of vital transmission projects as government eased restrictions but it continues to assess project schedules are continually reassessed as varying degrees of community quarantine remain in effect.

NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders and vice chairman of the board Henry Sy, Jr. and co-vice chairman Robert Coyiuto, Jr.