Wednesday, February 22, 2023

NGCP may resort to power rationing due to damaged underground line, repairs ongoing

CEBU CITY – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) may resort to power rationing in Cebu if the demand for power exceeds the remaining transmitting capacity of the Cebu-Mandaue 138KV lines 1 and 2 as NGCP continues to repair Line 2 of its Cebu-Mandaue 138-kiloVolt (kV) underground power line that was damaged during excavation activities by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Barangay  Umapad, Mandaue City on 21 January 2023.


Foreign experts are joining the NGCP team to examine the damage and determine the timeline for repairs.  Initial estimates by the technical teams, project a May 2023 completion for the repairs. NGCP will provide updates for any significant development.

NGCP media release said that the incident triggered the line tripping at 10:00AM on the same date which forced NGCP to temporarily divert a maximum of 180MW of the affected loads to the remaining Line 1 to restore transmission services to parts of the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) and Mactan Electric Company (MECO) franchise areas.


The requirements of VECO and MECO are still being served through the remaining line. Given the limitations caused by the damage, NGCP said it might resort to power rationing.  Prior to the incident, the Cebu-Mandaue 138kV lines 1 and 2 transmitted 274MW to the two distribution utilities.

“We are coordinating with the DPWH on resolving this and other similar incidents, and preventing further occurrences. NGCP is currently assessing the exact nature and extent of the damage as this information is crucial in the repair of the said line. The availability of equipment, parts and technical experts are also limiting factors. Nevertheless, we are fast tracking restoration of the damaged line,” NGCP stated.

The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) meanwhile, is in-charge of the rates and cost recovery mechanisms regarding the additional costs incurred by the distribution utilities due to the damaged underground line. (Photos: NGCP FB)

 

 

No comments: