The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is seeking approval for about P33 billion ($589 million) in projects to connect power plants in its Luzon and Visayas grids, according to a company application.
NGCP said the projects are vital to fulfilling its mandate to ensure a “reliable and high-performance” national transmission system.
“Thus, to avoid disruption of operation and to ensure continuous compliance with NGCP’s mandate… it is imperative that the implementation of the proposed capex projects be immediately approved,” the company said in its application to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
In Luzon, the projects include the Luzon Connection Requirements for Power Plants Project 1, a P5.6-billion initiative with an estimated 33-month implementation period, to accommodate new generation plants.
This is followed by the Luzon Connection Requirements for Power Plants Project 2, a P6.99 billion project to install power circuit breakers at various substations, which has an estimated 68-month implementation period.
The third project, the Luzon Connection Requirements for Power Plants Project 3, is a P8.6 billion effort with a 33-month implementation period, aiming to integrate new generating facilities and directly connected customers into the Luzon Grid.
In the Visayas, the Connection Requirements for Power Plants Project 2 is a P3.26-billion project with an estimated 47-month implementation period, designed to accommodate new power plants and customers.
The Visayas Connection Requirements for Power Plants Project 3, estimated to cost P8.71 billion, has a 35-month implementation period and will connect new power plants and a directly connected customer.
NGCP said because the planning and construction of transmission facilities take years, it is “critical for NGCP to align its project development with the expected demand by acting immediately and address issues early.”
Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), NGCP is required to seek prior approval for any expansion or improvement of its facilities related to its responsibility to build and maintain the national transmission system.
 is seeking approval for about P33 billion in projects to connect power plants in its Luzon and Visayas grids.){kind=link}