President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday called on the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to ensure the timely completion of key power projects to ensure reliable electricity supply across the country.

Speaking at the ceremonial energization of the recently completed Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) 230-kiloVolt (kV) Backbone Project in Bacolod City, Marcos underscored the importance of a stable power supply not only in the daily lives of Filipinos but also for regional and national economic development.

“Power outages are a hindrance to progress. Our power system must be a spark to ignite development,” Marcos said.

“The timely completion of critical transmission projects in strategic locations is paramount to avoid power disruptions and to ensure our continued development,” he added.

Marcos then called on the NGCP to ensure the timely completion of the remaining major transmission projects even as he assured the state-run firm that the administration is one with its mission to bolster the stability of the power grid.

“I urge the NGCP to deliver on the expansion commitment in a timely manner. Rest assured that the government will continuously assist you in this shared endeavor. We always consider it that way, it is a shared endeavor,” he said.

“It is not the project solely of the NGCP, it is not solely the project of the Department of Energy, it is a joint project and we bring all our resources and all our relevant assets to the problem to build the best system that we can, as cheaply as we can, and as quickly as we can,” Marcos added.

The President also called on power stakeholders in the Visayas to strategically identify suitable locations to host new energy projects.

Likewise, he encouraged the private sector to invest in the Negros and Panay sub-grids to enable the region to meet its energy demands and ensure energy self-sufficiency in the long run.

The CNP is comprised of 670 transmission towers spanning 442 circuit kilometers of overhead lines, 98.9 circuit kilometers of submarine cables with 10 new substations, and the expansion of two existing major substations.

The President said the project will resolve the power supply challenges that have plagued Negros and Panay sub-grids, which have caused “very serious economic setbacks for the region.”

“The CNP will also address the surging energy demands in the area and propel the socio-economic advancement of Regions VI and VII to new heights,” he said.

‘Hopeful no more power outage’’

Meanwhile, electric distribution utilities in Panay and Guimaras expressed elation over the completion of the CNP3’s 230-kilovolt (kV) Backbone Project.

More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) president and chief executive officer Roel Z. Castro commended what he called a “major milestone accomplishment” of NGCP.

“The energization of the full backbone is a big relief for us here in Panay Island, given the current situation when one baseload plant cannot come online by March 30 and at the onset of summer when the demand for all distribution utilities in Panay Island is at its peak,” Castro said in a statement.

He added that while it does not guarantee the highest level of reliability, it “is definitely a big step towards better reliability” for Panay.

Guimaras Electric Cooperative (GUIMELCO) general manager and president of the Electric Cooperatives Association of Region VI Shirley Laurente said the completion and energization of CNP 3 is “good news” because it can minimize the line congestion and it will open the Mindanao and Luzon grid to provide power to the region.

“If there are congestions in other lines like in Negros, NGCP will have a bigger capacity to deliver power without that line congestion,” she said in a phone interview.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr, in a separate interview, said the province is thankful for the completion.

He, however, said there are other infrastructures they are pushing to ensure reliable power.

“There are other collateral infra and civil works that need to be completed before we can realize the full benefit of that backbone,” he said.

Iloilo City Councilor Romel Duron, chair of the committee on public utilities, said hopefully, the city will no longer experience the power outage that plunged Panay into total darkness in April 2023 and January this year.

“We are still praying for more energy investors, particularly on renewable energy,” he added. (PNA)

Photo credit: National Grid Corporation of the Philippines Official Website