The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has formally assumed ownership, operation and maintenance of the Caticlan-Unidos 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line, a long-problematic facility previously under the Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO), following a directive from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

The takeover allows NGCP to immediately implement corrective measures aimed at reducing outages and improving power reliability in Aklan, particularly in areas served by the Caticlan Airport transmission corridor, which include Caticlan Airport and Boracay Island itself.

Regulatory basis for takeover

The transfer traces back to an ERC decision issued in November 2024, which reclassified the Caticlan-Unidos 69kV line from a sub-transmission asset to a transmission facility. Once the Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay 138kV Transmission Line is completed, the existing 69kV line will perform a transmission function, warranting its transfer to NGCP.

Even before the formal turnover, NGCP had flagged concerns over the condition of the facility. As early as January 2025, corrosion was detected on the NGCP-maintained Nabas-Caticlan section of the line, and AKELCO was informed. Remedial works were promptly carried out on NGCP-owned assets.

A joint due diligence inspection involving TransCo, NGCP and AKELCO was conducted in October 2025, leading to the signing of a Certificate of Turnover on November 21, 2025. However, NGCP has yet to issue a Certificate of Acceptance, citing reservations including poles and lines requiring replacement and incomplete right-of-way documentation. The system’s vulnerability became evident soon after the turnover, with multiple power interruptions recorded in early December.

Immediate repairs underway

NGCP said its investigations identified water wave splash and salt spray corrosion to the original 69kV line as the primary contributors to recent failures.

To mitigate these issues, NGCP constructed a realigned bypass line farther inland to avoid exposure to seawater. The adjusted bypass line is scheduled to be energized within December.

“We fully recognize the challenges associated with the condition of the inherited asset, underscored by the brownouts experienced earlier this month,” NGCP said in a statement. “With the line now under NGCP, we are mobilizing our full technical and financial resources to implement immediate, medium-term and long-term solutions.”

Full reconductoring targeted by March 2026

Beyond short-term fixes, NGCP has committed to a full reconductoring of the affected 69kV transmission line. The grid operator noted that AKELCO had no available spare materials for the repair, prompting NGCP to procure all required components. Completion of the reconductoring works is targeted by March 2026.

The urgency of the intervention escalated in September after the 69kV cable sustained further damage. During a Department of Energy (DOE)-led meeting attended by AKELCO, NGCP and the ERC, AKELCO acknowledged that it lacked the financial capacity to undertake the necessary repairs. In response, the ERC issued an order in October directing NGCP to immediately take over the asset to protect electricity supply reliability in the province.

138kV backbone line to bolster long-term reliability

In parallel, NGCP is accelerating work on the Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay 138kV transmission line, a major backbone project designed to improve system stability and reliability in the area. First pursued by NGCP in 2019, the project is now targeted for completion by August 2026 after delays attributed to external factors.

While not an immediate solution to the current outages, the new 138kV line will provide system looping and an alternative transmission route, significantly strengthening the resilience of power supply in Aklan and nearby areas.