The Energy Regulatory Commission has approved the application of Northern Palawan Power Generation Corp. to develop a dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facility to connect the 145-megawatt peak Cawag solar power project in Subic, Zambales to the Luzon grid.
NPPGC, a subsidiary of Emerging Power Inc. (EPI), plans to connect the solar plant to the 230 kV Subic (Hanjin) Substation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP). EPI is the renewable energy subsidiary of listed Nickel Asia Corp.
The ERC said that a perusal of the evidence presented during the hearings showed that the approval of NPPGC’s application to connect the Cawag SPP to the grid would redound to the benefit of the electricity consumers in terms of continuous, quality, reliable and efficient power supply.
“For NPPGC to commence commercial operations of its Cawag SPP, there should first be a connection to the grid. Thus, the development of the subject facilities is necessary to enable the said connection and allow NPPGC to supply power to the grid,” the ERC said.
The ERC approved the construction of the NPPGC’s first facility, which involves a 1.1-kilometer, double circuit 230kV line from Cawag SPP take-off substation to the 230kV Subic (Hanjin) Substation of NGCP; and a 2. 2 x 70MVA, 230/34.5kV, Cawag SPP Take-off substation, including protection and telecommunication equipment.
The ERC, however, denied the construction of a second facility or the construction bay extension at the 230kV Subic (Hanjin) Substation of NGCP as this is not a considered a dedicated facility.
The ERC reduced the total cost for the dedicated point-to-point facilities to P1. 048 billion.
“To ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the power system, the operation and maintenance of the subject facilities shall be through the NGCP,” it said.
