The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said Wednesday it approved the P11.856-billion Claver-Siargao interconnection project of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to expand grid reliability and support power delivery across Siargao Island.
The ERC authorized the NGCP to implement the project following a formal evaluation. The initiative, known as the CSIP, aims to provide reliable power to consumers within the service area of the Siargao Electric Cooperative (SIARELCO).
The project includes the construction of a new 69-kilovolt interconnection facility starting from the Cagdianao NGCP line. A 42-kilometer submarine cable with a 58-megavolt-ampere capacity will link two new switching stations located in Claver, Surigao del Norte and Dapa, Siargao Island.
Siargao Island receives power through a 34.5-kilovolt submarine cable owned by SIARELCO that connects to the Cagdianao NGCP 69-kilovolt substation.
Rising power demand and recent developments prompted SIARELCO to request that the NGCP, the ERC and the Department of Energy extend the grid line to Dapa.
SIARELCO would construct the necessary connection assets to link to the new project. These assets include a 69/13.8-kilovolt transformer and additional 69-kilovolt lines.
The interconnection aims to increase transmission capacity and maintain voltage at the new grid connection point within normal operating levels.
The island lacks local power generation and relies on a long interconnection path that has caused low-voltage issues across the network.
