National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said over the weekend it will compensate the Social Security System for the pension fund’s Pasay property.
National Grid said in a statement the proposed Pasay 230-kiloVolt (kV) Substation project on the Pasay lot was part of its Transmission Development Plan designed to strengthen Metro Manila’s network by providing the long-term solution to increased power demand, and distribute electricity to retailer Manila Electric Co.
National Grid said the project would also improve the grid’s resiliency by providing N-1 contingency or back-up facility to prevent outages when other equipment are not available or on scheduled maintenance shutdown.
A court ordered the SSS to vacate a portion of its 7.5-hectare property in Pasay City for National Grid’s power project.
SSS bought the property along Diokno Avenue in Pasay City from Public Estate Authority for P1.12 billion in 1993. SSS is contesting the use of the property by the grid operator, saying it the lot would be the site of the SSS Center of the South.
“The proposed Pasay substation is a critical infrastructure project that will support the growth, development, and energy security of the Western part of Metro Manila,” National Grid said.
“All transmission facilities we will be building during our concession are deemed for public use, and will eventually be turned over to government at the end of the concession period,” it added.
National Grid plans to construct the 230-kV substation project in Pasay City to improve power supply and system reliability and serve the area and neighboring zones.
The project includes a provision to connect the Pasay substation directly to a substation in Bataan through a high voltage submarine cable, making the property’s location ideal.
National Grid said it would comply with the orders of the courts, including just compensation to SSS once it was determined.
Malacañang, meanwhile, ordered the formation of a committee to investigate claims of National Transmission Corp. against National Grid.
“There’s a committee that will take care of it. The Executive Secretary was assigned to lead it. I am being asked to submit reports,” TransCo president Melvin Matibag said.
