Jobin-SQM, Inc. (JSI) has earned the approval to connect its 100-megawatt peak (MWp) Subic solar farm via the the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) 230 kilovolt (kV) substation.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved the connection to include the installation of a “dedicated point-to-point limited facilities to connect the 100 MWp power project to the Luzon grid.”
JSI is a subsidiary of Emerging Power, Inc. (EPI), which is also involved in mining and banking among other industries.
The solar farm’s output will not only provide additional support to the grid, but it will also be of help to the government’s target to increase the percentage of renewables in the country’s energy mix.
The project is expected to cost around P1.034 billion; this includes the connection assets of JSI at P774.029 million, and the needed upgrade and changes of the NGCP Subic substation costing P260.439 million.
JSI has commissioned MN Electro Industrial Supply & Services to ensure the technical integrity of the connection facility. The commissioned party also did an system impact study “to determine the technical feasibility of connecting the 100 MW solar power plant to the Luzon grid.”
The company also partnered with S.L. Development Construction Corporation and Harty Inc. for supply, construction, and installation process of the facility.
Under the ERC ruling, the plant cannot be a point-to-point facility but it should also serve other customers such as Subic-Enron power plant.
However, ERC said the facilities of the said solar plant can also qualify as a point-to-point facility as stated under the provisions of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).
“As to the assets connecting JSI’s 100 MWp solar power plant to NGCP’s Subic substation, these assets are dedicated point-to-point limited facilities qualified under Section 9 of EPIRA,” the ERC said.
“If these assets are removed or cut, only JSI will be disconnected since these are solely used by JSI’s generating facility,” the energy regulatory added.
