The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is requesting provisional approval for its Php 90.66-billion transmission project, designed to connect the transmissions of Batangas and Mindoro.
In a report by Philippine Star, the NGCP has submitted an application to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the immediate launch of the 500-kilovolt (kV) Batangas-Mindoro interconnection and backbone project (BMIBP).
Currently, Mindoro Island’s power system relies on 69-kV transmission lines, which are connected to substations operated by independent power producers and the National Power Corporation’s Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG).
The NGCP has noted that, with the anticipated rise in power demand on the island, the existing power infrastructure will no longer be able to meet future load needs.
The proposed BMIBP aims to connect Mindoro to the Luzon grid, delivering sufficient power to address both present and anticipated supply shortfalls.
The project will focus on building drawdown substations that will integrate with the current 69-kV network serving Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.
Additionally, the BMIBP will be implemented in two phases, with the first phase involving the construction of overhead transmission lines and submarine cables between the Pinamucan substation in Batangas and the planned Calapan substation in Oriental Mindoro.
The second phase, meanwhile, will energize the transmission lines and submarine cables and fully develop the 500-kV Calapan substation.
The NGCP estimates that Php 45.6 billion will be spent on the first phase and Php 45.06 billion on the second phase.
Beyond resolving Mindoro’s power issues, the NGCP stated that the project will support the development of offshore wind projects, which are part of the government’s renewable energy initiative.
