NGCP starts Phase 2 of Mindanao upgrade

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has commenced with the second phase of its P10.56- billion Mindanao substation upgrading program aimed at bolstering the reliability of the island’s grid.

NGCP said it has energized a 100-megavolt ampere (MVA) power transformer in its Toril substation, which served as the first milestone in the second phase of the company’s efforts to upgrade substations in Mindanao.

The Toril substation serves the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Co., which provides the electricity needs of Davao City.

“The Mindanao substation upgrading project 2 (MSUP2) is again testament to our commitment to expand and improve the country’s transmission grid, and to provide better services at a lower cost to the consumer,” NGCP said.

Under the MSUP2, NGCP will equip 10 substations in Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato with new power transformers to ensure continuous operations in the case of outages.

The 100-MVA power transformer in Toril substation is the first energization under NGCP’s MSUP2.

The upgrading project is also seen to address the N-1 compliance for the Mindanao grid, which is a requirement of the Philippine Grid Code.

An N-1 contingency is the ability of the grid to withstand a major system disturbance with minimal or no impact to the system, according to NGCP.

“The energization of the transformer in Toril, as well as the energization of high voltage equipment and facilities all over Mindanao, will boost the grid’s overall reliability,” NGCP said.

“These upgrading efforts are ultimately geared towards readying the grid for the influx of businesses, industries, and investments in the region,” the company said.

NGCP said the MSUP2 was filed with a cost of P5.56 billion, while the first phase of the project has an approved project cost of P5 billion.

The first stage of the upgrading project includes the energization of power transformers with a 100-MVA rating in NGCP’s Agus 6, Pitogo, Placer, NagaMin, and General Santos substations.

Power transformers with a 75-MVA rating were also energized in Polanco, Opol, and Maramag substations, and 50 MVA power transformers in San Francisco, Bislig, and Kidapawan substations.

Capacitor banks were also installed in NGCP’s Butuan, Tacurong, Pitogo, General Santos, San Francisco, and Placer substations.

NGCP holds a 25-year concession and a 50-year Congressional franchise to expand and operate the country’s power transmission grid.

The company has invested P300 billion from 2009 to 2022 to strengthen the country’s transmission system, including the development of 3,729 circuit kilometers of new transmission lines and 31,190 MVA substation capacity installations with 28 new substations, among others.