^{Photo credit: Mangyan Travel Vlog}

The Department of Energy (DOE) said it has facilitated a key grid upgrade in Oriental Mindoro, enabling the full dispatch of around 16 megawatts (MW) of wind power that had previously been curtailed due to transmission constraints.

In a media release on March 18, the DOE said the installation of three current transformers (CTs) at Bay 1 of the Calangatan Switching Station removed a bottleneck that had limited the amount of electricity delivered to the Mindoro grid.

The upgrade was implemented in coordination with the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), National Power Corporation (NPC), PHESI, Ormin Power Inc., and the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO).

Prior to the fix, the constraint at the switching station restricted the dispatch of the 16.530 MW Wind Energy Power Facility (WEPF) operated by PHESI, particularly during periods of strong wind when available generation could not be fully transmitted.

Following the replacement, testing, and commissioning of the upgraded equipment, the system can now accommodate the full output of the facility—improving renewable energy utilization in the island grid.

The wind facility is supported by a battery energy storage system (BESS), which helps manage short-term fluctuations and stabilize power delivery. With the upgraded transformer in place, both the wind plant and its BESS can now operate at full capacity.

The DOE said the improvement is expected to enhance supply reliability for ORMECO consumers while reducing reliance on higher-cost conventional generation, especially during periods of strong wind availability.

The development also highlights persistent grid limitations in island systems, where even relatively small technical constraints can lead to renewable energy curtailment.

“Resolving grid constraints and improving system readiness are essential steps in enabling renewable energy projects to operate efficiently and contribute more meaningfully to the country’s energy supply,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said.

She added that the project demonstrates how coordination among government agencies, transmission operators, electric cooperatives, and private sector players can address operational challenges and support clean energy integration.

The DOE said it will continue working with stakeholders to strengthen the reliability of island grids and support renewable energy deployment.

The PHESI-operated wind facility is located in Puerto Galera and forms part of the Mindoro Island wind project, an onshore development commissioned in 2019 with an initial capacity of 16 MW from eight turbines.

Designed for an off-grid system historically dependent on diesel generation, the project integrates a battery energy storage system to manage intermittency and improve reliability of supply.

The wind farm is also part of a planned multi-phase development that includes a proposed 10 MW expansion, reflecting continued efforts to increase renewable penetration in the Mindoro grid.

With curtailment still a recurring issue in island grids, what other quick-win grid interventions should be prioritized to unlock stranded renewable capacity across the Philippines?

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