National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said Tuesday it started the construction of the P5.48-billion Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay 138-kilovolt line to address the growing demand for power in Boracay Island.
NGCP said Boracay recorded a spurt in visitor arrivals, with tourism leading the post-COVID economic recovery.
The company said there was a need for grid expansion and development projects to keep up with the increasing power demand which could surpass pre-pandemic levels on increased economic activity.
NGCP said Boracay’s demand now hit 25 megawatts, closer to the 27-MW limit of the existing 69-kV submarine cable and overhead line serving the island.
It said without any transmission reinforcements, further developments in Caticlan and Boracay could not be accommodated.
“The existing 69 kV submarine cable and overhead line serving the island is no longer adequate to support load growth in the coming years. Under the project, NGCP will reinforce the grid with an additional submarine cable and upgrade the existing 69-kV facilities to 138kV,” said NGCP.
The entire project consists of underground and submarine cables connecting the mainland to Boracay Island, overhead transmission lines, a cable terminal station, a new Boracay substation and an upgraded Nabas substation.
The project was certified as an Energy Project of National Significance by the Department of Energy in 2019. Once completed by December 2023, it is expected to serve the projected demand for Boracay and Caticlan of 175 MW by 2040.
“The Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay transmission line project will support the increasing power requirements of the island and ensure stable and reliable transmission of power. NGCP will support the island’s growth and help ensure the development of Boracay as one of the world’s best travel destinations by providing the necessary energy infrastructure,” the company said.
NGCP said continuously improves its operations and upgrades its transmission network to serve the needs of customers.
NGCP energized early this month the P3.6-billion Pagbilao Extra High Voltage Substation Project which was also certified as an Energy Project of National Significance.
It will accommodate the connection of incoming power plants in Quezon province with a combined capacity of 1,420 MW consisting of coal-fired and combined-cycle power plants.
NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately-owned company in charge of operating, maintaining and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders and vice chairman of the board Henry Sy Jr. and co-vice chairman Robert Coyiuto Jr.
It is the sole operating asset of Synergy Grid and Development Philippines Inc.