Transmission operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines has halted the restoration of a bombed tower in Mindanao because of an uncooperative land owner.
“Restoration of toppled Tower # 25 along Agus 2-Kibawe 138 kV line in Ramain, Lanao del Sur was stopped due to failed negotiation with the owner of the property where the facility is located,” the company said in a statement.
The landowner, according to National Grid, refused them entry to his property where the toppled tower was located, alleging that government failed to pay his claims a long time ago.
“The bombing of the tower last Christmas Eve caused two generation facilities—government’s National Power Corp. owned Agus 1 and 2 to be cut off the Mindanao grid,” it said.
“As a result, as much as 150 MW of power was isolated from Mindanao consumers,” the company said.
National Grid warned that failure to restore the tower will further aggravate the supply deficiency in the region which could result to longer rotation brownouts.
Around 15 transmission towers were bombed by lawless elements in 2015.
National Grid earlier warned that more transmission towers in Mindanao are expected to be bombed over the holiday season, citing intelligence reports.
National Grid, which operates the country’s transmission network under a concession agreement with the government, renewed its appeal for the public, national and local government, and the Philippine Army in resolving the said security issue.