Photo credit: PIA

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported progress on two major transmission projects expected to ease congestion and boost Cebu’s power reliability by 2026.

NGCP-Visayas Transmission Planning Manager Michael Baylosis said the Cebu–Lapu-Lapu 230-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line is 68% complete, while the Lapu-Lapu 230 kV Substation has reached 69%, the Philippine News Agency reports.

“These new facilities will address the growing power demand, forecasted growth in Cebu province, and ensure sufficient and reliable power delivery in the whole area,” Baylosis said during NGCP’s Power 101 briefing in Cebu.

Both projects are targeted for completion in December 2026, alongside substation expansions in Toledo, Umapad, Daanbantayan, Compostela, Samboan, Calong Calong, and Pusok.

Baylosis also called for community cooperation in protecting transmission lines, warning that activities like kite flying, burning, and tying animals near towers could cause power interruptions. 

“Tinatali yung kalabaw sa transmission towers baka mag-cause po ito ng interruption din kasi possible po na may matanggal na paa ng tore namin. Even sa kite flying na ‘yan, pag sumabit sa aming transmission lines it will also cause power interruption, and nakakakuryente din po ‘yun,” he said.

At the same event, NGCP briefed journalists and government information officers on its role as the country’s sole transmission operator under Republic Acts 9136 and 9511. 

“Whatever is generated or produced by the power plants, that is what we transmit through our substations and transmission lines in high voltage to the distribution utilities or electric cooperatives,” Baylosis explained.

NGCP operates over 23,000 circuit-kilometers of lines and nearly 59,000 MVA of substation capacity. Since 2009, it has invested around PHP 395 billion to modernize the grid.

According to NGCP’s Transmission Development Plan 2025–2050, Cebu’s power demand may reach 2,108 megawatts by 2030.

Will these transmission upgrades be enough to keep up with Cebu’s fast-growing energy demand?

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