NGCP sets Php160B capex until 2025

NGCP transmission line with sun 2

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) will be allotting a capital expenditure of Php 160 billion until 2025 to fund various transmission projects in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. 

Based on its filing with the Energy Regulatory Commission, NGCP said it will be working on different 230 kilovolt (kV) substations in Pasay, Navotas, and Antipolo cities, as well as the Taguig and Marilao extra high voltage substations. The grid firm likewise said it will build the 500kV Taguig-Taytay and Taguig-Silang transmission lines.

The said projects would be undertaken to meet the forecasted load growth in the metropolis.

Several major islands in the Luzon group outside the mainland are also expected to benefit from NGCP’s projects under its capex program, as interconnection lines between Batangas, Mindoro, and Palawan. 

The Batangas-Mindoro interconnection would particularly link NGCP’s 500kV Pinamucan substation in Batangas City and Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. 

“The proposed interconnection of Mindoro Island with the Luzon Grid was envisioned to provide access to bulk generation sources in the main grid, while at the same time providing the means to export possible excess power within the island,” NGCP said in its statement.

Meanwhile, the Palawan-Mindoro interconnection is being studied.

The grid firm will also be allotting a Php22.3 billion capex for operation and maintenance programs which include substation and transmission line reliability projects, upgrading of tools and equipment, as well as the introduction of smart grid technology as part of its network facility improvements. 

Php7.1 billion will be allotted for system operations, including the upgrades of its SCADA/EMS systems, expansion of its telecommunication facilities and improvements of cybersecurity systems, and power quality monitoring. Earlier, Synergy Grid & Development Phils, Inc., NGCP’s holding company, said that it will be boosting the grid operator’s CAPEX program through a Php 12.24 billion share subscription.