Bohol is once again cut from the Visayas Grid, this time due to Tropical Storm Agaton.
This comes as the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that its 138-kilovolt (kV) Ormoc-Maasin lines 1 and 2 became unavailable after midnight. As a result, the 138kV Maasin-Ubay line, which hosts the Leyte-Bohol interconnection and the temporary special towers in Bohol, is also not in service.
Bohol is 60% dependent on Leyte for its power needs.
The temporary special towers, located on Ubay in mainland Bohol and Pres. C.P. Garcia town on Lapinig Island, were energized in February, thus reconnecting the province to the Visayas Grid after two months. Typhoon Odette brought down the two original special towers in December 2021, leaving many areas in Bohol without electricity.
As for the two new permanent special towers in Bohol, NGCP aims to energize them by April 30, nine days before the May 9 presidential elections.
“The schedule of re-energization of the special towers in Bohol is dependent on the restoration of the Ormoc-Maasin 138kV lines 1 and 2,” the grid firm said in a Viber message.
Agaton also partly disrupted power transmission in Leyte, as the 69kV Maasin-Baybay line is also unavailable, as of 5PM.
NGCP said it has mobilized its line crews and is currently conducting patrols to inspect and assess Agaton’s impact on its operations and facilities, adding that simultaneous restoration activities are being conducted in areas that are already accessible.