Around 20 percent of power supply to Samar, Leyte and Bohol has been restored and full restoration is eyed to be completed not later than July 31, the Energy Department said Friday.
Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the department expects full restoration by July 19 or July 31, depending on the status of repair of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ 150-MW transformer 6 in Ormoc.
“We’re working on July 19 for 270 MW of supply to be delivered from EDC Energy Development Corp. Yesterday, an initial 45 MW of power has flowed after the repair of transformer 3 and 5,” Fuentebella said.
“We will be able to reach 100 percent [restoration] by July 19 provided that transformer 6 is repaired,” Fuentebella said.
The National Grid, for its part, said re-testing of the 150MVA Transformer No. 6 in Ormoc Substation has been completed and replacement of the damaged bushing is already ongoing.
National Grid has already energized the Ormoc-Kananga 230kV Line 2 and is now providing feedback power to the Upper Mahiao and Malitbog geothermal power plants of EDC in Northern Leyte.
National Grid said it is continuously trying to energize the damaged transformer while other transformers at Ormoc Substation are also undergoing testing.
The company also started the transfer of 150 and 100 MVA transformers from Compostela Substation in Cebu to Ormoc Substation to replace the damaged transformers in the facility.
At the same time, National Grid said it is also currently assessing the High Voltage Direct Current converter transformer in Ormoc, and erecting an Emergency Restoration System for the Ormoc-Isabel 138kV line.
“NGCP is employing a parallel, simultaneous strategy of repair, replacement, and reconfiguration for its affected transmission equipment, and is pooling all its resources and exerting all efforts to restore, even partially, power transmission services by the July 31 deadline, as set by DoE, or earlier,” it said.