NGCP invests P55 billion

CEBU, Philippines — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is investing about P55 billion in transmission projects in Cebu to meet the region's growing electricity demand, strengthen grid reliability, and expand the capacity to import power from Luzon.

During NGCP's Power 101 briefing, Engr. Michael R. Baylosis, transmission planning manager of the Visayas System Planning Division, said the company continues to expand its transmission network as electricity demand in Metro Cebu and nearby areas continues to increase.

Baylosis explained that yellow and red alerts in the power grid are mainly triggered by two factors--unplanned outages of power plants and increasing electricity demand.

To address the rising power consumption, NGCP is implementing the P2.8-billion Cebu–Lapu-Lapu 230-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project and the P8.3-billion Lapu-Lapu 230-kV Substation Project.

He said the projects are designed to support the increasing electricity requirements of Metro Cebu, Mandaue City, and Mactan Island, where the existing 138-kV transmission lines and underground cables are approaching their capacity limits.

The projects include the construction of new 230-kV overhead transmission lines, higher-capacity 230-kV submarine cables, and new substations in Mactan and Pusok.

According to Baylosis, the higher-voltage facilities will significantly increase transmission capacity and accommodate the area's long-term growth.

“The increase in the consumption of electricity in Mandaue, Mactan, and Metro Cebu is causing our existing 138-kV transmission lines and underground cables to approach overload. That’s why we are building a higher-capacity 230-kV transmission system,” he said.

Baylosis said the Cebu–Lapu-Lapu transmission line and substation projects are expected to be completed by December 2027.

P44B interconnection project

Aside from strengthening Cebu's internal transmission network, NGCP is also pursuing the P44-billion Cebu-Leyte Interconnection Lines 3 and 4 Project, which aims to increase the amount of electricity that can be transmitted from Luzon to the Visayas.

The project will be implemented in three phases, with completion targeted in 2031, 2033, and 2035.

Baylosis said the current transfer capacity from Luzon remains constrained because the existing Cebu-Leyte submarine cables can only carry a limited amount of power before reaching their operating limits.

Once completed, the expanded transmission network will enable better resource sharing among Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao while supporting the integration of new power plants into the national grid.

However, Baylosis acknowledged that NGCP continues to face implementation challenges, including route adjustments, right-of-way acquisition, permitting requirements, and regulatory processes.

To help accelerate the projects, he appealed for the support of local government units through the timely issuance of building permits, Sangguniang Panlungsod resolutions, barangay clearances, and certificates of no objection.

He emphasized that close coordination with local governments remains essential to completing the transmission projects needed to ensure a more reliable and resilient power supply for Cebu and the rest of the Visayas.

Grid outlook improves

Meanwhile, the power outlook for the Visayas grid has improved significantly following the return to service of a major coal-fired generating unit, although NGCP officials cautioned that yellow alerts may still be declared depending on available reserves and unplanned plant outages.

Engr. Amado F. Otarra III, senior supervisor for Network Operations of the Visayas System Operations, said Wednesday, July 1, marked the first day since May 11 that the Visayas grid was not placed under a yellow alert after the restoration of Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) Unit 3.

PEDC Unit 3 is a 150-megawatt coal-fired generating unit located in La Paz, Iloilo City.

NGCP spokesperson Atty. Cynthia Alabanza, however, said that despite the improved power supply, the agency could not guarantee that no further yellow alerts would be declared.

Otarra said the combination of increased generation capacity and lower electricity demand is expected to provide a more stable power outlook for the Visayas in the coming weeks.

Alabanza added that electricity demand has started to decline with the end of the summer season, easing pressure on the grid despite reduced solar power generation during the rainy season.

Overall, NGCP officials said the outlook for the Visayas grid has improved considerably as more generation capacity becomes available and electricity demand continues to normalize.- FPL (CEBU NEWS)