The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) restored its Kidapawan Substation following the magnitude 6.7 earthquake in Tulunan, Cotabato that posed damages to its high-voltage substation equipment and control room facilities.
According to NGCP’s official statement, there was difficulty accessing the substation due to landslides around the area, compelling the rescue of substation personnel via chopper; but despite the damaged facilities, NGCP was still able to provide uninterrupted electricity to their consumers after shifting the power supply to its Tacurong Substation.
As soon as the area was marked safe and passable, NGCP deployed its personnel to assess the damages and implement a restoration plan that included clearing of debris; designing and installing support structures; removing damaged high-voltage equipment; and installing, testing, and evacuating new equipment.
“We are pleased to report that with the collective efforts of our Mindanao-personnel and additional line crews from Visayas and South-Luzon, we were able to energize Kidapawan Substation and Kidapawan-Matanao 138kV Line 1 and 2 a week ahead of schedule. Our customers can be assured that we will continue monitoring the situation in the area,” the company stated.
The substation is now ready to fully accommodate power from the Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant (MAGPP) to the Mindanao grid once it goes online.
