The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is ramping up infrastructure investments and long-term planning to address the ever-growing electricity demand in Central Luzon, especially in Pampanga and nearby provinces.

This was underscored during a recent Power 101 Seminar organized by NGCP for media practitioners in the region. The event aimed to enhance public understanding of the country’s power transmission system and provide updates on ongoing and upcoming energy projects in Northern and Central Luzon, as reported by iOrbit News.

Engr. Alvin Estaliao, Senior Manager of NGCP’s Northern Luzon Operations and Maintenance District 6, led the technical discussions, emphasizing the company’s role as the sole transmission service provider in the Philippines. He clarified that NGCP is responsible for transmitting high-voltage electricity from generation plants to distribution utilities, electric cooperatives, and industrial customers, but stresses that it does not engage in power generation or distribution itself.

Estaliao also reviewed the structural changes brought by Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), which separated the power sector into generation, transmission, distribution, and supply components.

As of end-2024, NGCP operates 23,109.94 circuit-kilometers of transmission lines and 58,653.40 megavolt-amperes (MVA) of substation capacity nationwide. Since taking over operations in 2009, the company has invested nearly PHP395 billion in power infrastructure across the country.

In Central Luzon, one of NGCP’s key projects is the construction of the San Simon 230-kilovolt (kV) Substation. The facility is expected to decongest the existing Mexico Substation and enhance connectivity to the Bataan generation hub, thus further improving grid reliability and capacity in the region.

During the open forum, NGCP spokesperson Atty. Cynthia P. Alabanza stressed the importance of inter-agency coordination and strategic alignment between infrastructure plans and national energy policy.

“It really needs a multi-sectoral, multi-government agency approach. It can’t just be NGCP-not just the generators, not just the distributors. Everyone must do their part,” Alabanza said.

She emphasized that the Transmission Development Plan (TDP) should be integrated with the government’s broader Power Development Plan (PDP), warning that a lack of coordination could lead to inefficiencies in the sector.

“You can’t just build the roads without knowing what you’re transporting. That’s why we keep encouraging better coordination. If we all sing in different tones, the customers will hear the dissonance,” she added.

Alabanza also confirmed that stakeholder consultations for the 2025-2050 Transmission Development Plan concluded in May 2024. The updated roadmap is expected to reflect new energy developments, including the expansion of offshore wind power and emerging energy technologies.

NGCP reiterated its commitment to maintaining a stable, reliable transmission network through continuous infrastructure upgrades and enhanced collaboration with government and industry stakeholders.

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Photo Credit: iOrbit News