The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the P1 billion dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities to connect the San Isidro Wind Power Project (SIWPP) in northern Samar to the Visayas Grid.
The 206.25-megawatt wind project is being developed by Lihangin Wind Energy Corp. (LWEC), a joint venture of Vivant Energy Corp., the power unit of Vivant Corp.; Aboitiz Renewables, Inc., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp.; and Vena Energy.
“The prayer for the authority of LWEC to develop and own the subject facilities to connect its San Isidro Wind Power Project to the Visayas Grid through the San Isidro Substation, as final connection scheme is approved, subject to certain condition,” the ERC said.
However, the ERC denied LWEC’s request for authority to operate and maintain the facilities, stating the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) shall operate and maintain them, subject to applicable charges.
The ERC said that for LWEC to commence commercial operations of its wind project next year, a grid connection is essential.
“Thus, the development of the subject facilities is necessary to enable the said connection and allow LWEC to supply power to the grid,” it said.
The ERC approved the construction of the first dedicated facility as proposed by LWEC: a 15.7-kilometer, 138kV, double-circuit transmission line and a 2x200MVA, 138/34.5kV take-off substation, including a switchyard.
The regulator did not authorize LWEC to develop and own the second and third facilities. The second facility does not qualify as a dedicated point-to-point transmission facility, and the third facility already forms part of an NGCP transmission project approved by the commission in ERC Case No. 2022-083 RC.
The second facility involves grid reinforcement works in the NGCP Calbayog Substation, including the switchyard, protection and control equipment. The third facility involves the construction of a 47.5km, 138kV double-circuit transmission line going to Calbayog Substation.
“Thus, the Commission resolves to exclude the cost of the assets in the Second and Third Facilities in the computation of permit fee. In view thereof, the total cost for the dedicated point-to-point facilities amounts to P1,027,678,512.47,” the ERC said.
LWEC engaged the services of Powerchina Philippines Corporation (Powerchina) for the engineering, procurement and construction of the wind project.
“The dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities shall be used solely by the generating facility,” the ERC said.
The ERC directed LWEC to immediately coordinate with NGCP upon receipt of the decision for the installation and construction of the dedicated facility to avoid project delay.
