Apr 08, 2024 - 16:27
By manilatimes.net

NGCP working on CNP expansion

THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is working on the expansion of the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) Transmission Backbone following its formal inauguration and energization on Monday.

NGCP Assistant Vice President for Public Relations Cynthia Perez-Alabanza said they are planning to increase the capacity of some of the submarine cables of the CNP backbone.

«Moreover, and as early as last year, March 2023, we already filed with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) seeking additional capacity for the submarine cable of the CNP so that we are always ahead,» Perez-Alabanza said.

«The expansion will be located in the Cebu-Negros-Panay area, but this is us planning for the years ahead as the 230 kilovolt (kV)-transmission will last around an average of 7 to 10 years before we need to increase capacity once more. And again, that's why we've already applied for additional submarine cables,» she added.

On Monday, NGCP held a simultaneous ceremonial energization and inauguration of its newly completed CNP 230-kV backbone in the provinces of Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Cebu.

The event was held simultaneously at the NGCP Bacolod Substation in Negros Occidental, the NGCP Barotac Viejo Substation in Iloilo, and Magdugo Substation in Cebu.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the inauguration at the NGCP Bacolod Substation.

The total cost of the entire CNP backbone project based on ERC records is P67.98 billion.

The CNP backbone, which also includes the Negros-Panay Interconnection Project Line 2, is comprised of three stages, the last of which was completed on March 27, 2024, and is currently complementing the existing Amlan-Samboan submarine cable currently utilized to connect Cebu and Negros islands.

The first stage of the CNP Project added a new 230-kV transmission line from Bacolod to EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, while the second stage upgraded several Cebu substations to 230 kV levels.

«CNP strengthens the link between the major islands of the Visayas, and will provide a more reliable transfer of power to support the fast growing economies of the provinces in the islands of Cebu, Negros and Panay.

»This development will not only