National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) remains committed to enhancing the performance of the power grid by investing Php 6.47 billion in substation upgrades to ensure grid resilience.
Since assuming control of the transmission system from the government in 2009, the corporation has allocated Php 3.29 billion towards the modernization of 15 substations and converter stations, aiming to enhance their efficiency and functionality.
The NGCP further highlighted that these upgrades were specifically undertaken to accommodate the rising system load and enhance its overall reliability.
“The company continually implements projects to improve substation operations for the efficient and reliable delivery of power. NGCP invests in the best technology to better serve its customers,” NGCP said.
The corporation also verified that from 2018 to 2021, a total of 33 power transformers were replaced, amounting to Php 1.8 billion. Out of these, 21 were located in Luzon, three in Visayas, and nine in Mindanao.
Furthermore, NGCP has successfully delivered 14 spare power transformers, amounting to $14.6 million or Php 764 million, to various substations across the country. These transformers have been distributed to six substations in North Luzon, five in South Luzon, one in Visayas, and two in Mindanao, reinforcing the grid’s resilience and ensuring reliable power transmission.
To ensure the prompt restoration of power in affected areas, the company has procured mobile transformer units that can be swiftly deployed and energized within the region in less than 36 hours. Four mobile transformer units, with a total value of $12.1 million or Php 612 million, have already been delivered to substations in Mexico, Pampanga, Daraga in Albay, Cadiz in Bacolod, and South Cotabato.
These substation reliability projects have been filed with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Many of these were implemented from 2016 onwards but have not yet received the provisional approval of ERC.
Despite the absence of recovery approvals from the ERC, NGCP proceeded with the implementation of these projects based on operational requirements.
“We hope to correct the impression that the consumers are somehow shortchanged with how rates are computed. Our commitment has never wavered: we serve the public, and we work within the legal and regulatory framework of our concession and franchise,” NGCP stressed.