MORE Electric and Power Corp. said Tuesday it energized the rehabilitated 25/30MVA Molo Substation, a key milestone in its mission to modernize Iloilo City’s power infrastructure.
The rehabilitation began on July 5, 2023, with EEI Power Corp. as the contractor.
The project, costing P60.6 million, involved replacing outdated and unreliable equipment, including the control system, switchyard and other important devices to make the substation more reliable and automated.
“The Molo Substation had been in operation for 23 years without proper maintenance, leading to frequent equipment malfunctions,” said MORE president and chief executive Roel Castro.
“This upgrade is essential not only to meet the increasing demand for electricity due to population growth and commercial expansion in the area but also extends the life of the transformer and improves its performance using advanced technology to ensure stable and efficient power distribution,” Castro said.
MORE Power said that while the Molo Substation was being upgraded, a 30/36 MVA Mobile Substation provided temporary power to keep the electricity supply running smoothly.
The Molo Substation’s transformation includes a reconfigured in-out system, which significantly reduces the risk of outages, especially during peak demand.
This system allows for flexibility, enabling power to be easily rerouted through the SCADA system if a transmission line segment encounters a fault.
“MORE Power’s SCADA implementation is notable as the first Distribution Utility (DU) in Panay and one of the few in the Philippines, setting a benchmark for modern power management,” said MORE Power project management and development head Armil Logarta.
“As a result, any power interruption will be minimized, greatly enhancing service reliability for both residential and commercial customers. The integration of this modern substation into Iloilo City’s power system also allows for smarter load management, ensuring that MORE Power can swiftly respond to fluctuations in demand,” he said.
