The Energy Regulatory Commission said it deferred further deliberation on the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ application to implement six capital expenditure projects totaling P20 billion.
“Given the pending issues that needed to be addressed, the resolution of the matter has been deferred for further deliberation,” the ERC said.
NGCP refiled its application in 2022 after withdrawing a previous application, citing factors that contributed to increased project costs or changes in the six projects’ components.
The refiled projects include the P1-billion Concepcion-Sta. Ignacia 69kV Transmission Line Project, which aims to address the overloading of the Concepcion—Camiling 69 kV Transmission Line and provide additional transmission capacity to cater to the growing power demand in the Tarlac area.
The project will unload the existing Concepcion Camiling 69 kV Transmission Line and cater to the loads of Tarlac Electric Cooperative I in Sta. Ignacia, Camiling, Mayantoc, Paniqui, Moncada and Anao. It will be implemented for 66 months.
NGCP also sought approval for the P4.415-billion San Simon 230kV Substation Project that will accommodate the growing demands of existing steel mills and directly connected industries and support the entry of new steel mills and industrial loads in San Simon, Pampanga.
It will also address the overloading of various 69 kV transmission facilities and serve as an alternate source substation for the loads connected at Mexico Substation. The project shall be implemented over 68 months.
NGCP also refiled the Pinili 230kV Substation Project for approval, which will address the forecasted load growth in Ilocos Region.
It will serve as the new connection point for future renewable energy power plants in the area with total estimated project cost is P1.64 billion to be implemented over 62 months.
NGCP is also seeking ERC approval for the Laray 230kV Substation Project to prevent the overloading of the Quiot and Cebu substations.
The project will also ensure the reliability of power delivery in Metro Cebu through load shifting between substations during N-1 contingency.
The P6.35-billion project will accommodate future developments and provide new terminations for customers in the area. It will be implemented over 147 months.
NGCP is seeking approval for the P3.31-billion Calbayog-Allen Transmission Line Project to improve the reliability of power delivery in Northern Samar.
The proposed San Isidro 138 kV Substation will be constructed to accommodate the load growth in Northern Samar and the entry of the San Isidro Wind Farm of Lihangin Wind Energy Corporation in Northern Samar. The project is to be implemented for 103 months.
NGCP also asked ERC to approve the P3.6-billion Maco-Mati 138kV Transmission Line Project to provide a grid connection point for Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative.
The project will relieve the imminent overloading of the existing Maco-Banaybanay 69 kV Line serving Doreco and Northern Davao Electric Cooperative and boost the economy of Mati City through nearby transmission and substation facilities with bigger loading capacities. It will be implemented over 36 months.
“To avoid disruption of operation and to ensure continuous compliance with NGCP’s mandate under the EPIRA [Electric Power Industry Reform Act] as the transmission operator, it is imperative that the implementation of the proposed capex projects be immediately approved,” NGCP said.