The Energy Regulatory Commission approved the construction of the P1.783-billion Eastern Panay transmission line to support the entry of more power plants in the area.
ERC said in its decision the Eastern Panay transmission project of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines would redound to the benefit of consumers in terms of continuous, reliable and efficiency power supply.
ERC asked National Grid to “conduct competitive bidding for the purchase of the major materials in the implementation of the approved project.”
The proposed transmission line will have a maximum transfer capacity of 360 megawatts per circuit, which can accommodate the supply of the 135-megawatt coal plant of Palm Concepcion Power Corp. in Concepcion, Iloilo.
The first unit of Palm Concepcion’s coal plant is expected to start commercial operation this year while the second unit is targeted to be completed in 2016.
National Grid said in its application the coal project would inject power to the Visayas grid through the Barotac substation which was nearer to the power plant.
The transmission project also involves the construction of a 69-kilovot transmission line towards the existing Panitan-Estancia 69-kV line.
The company said the transmission lines would be designed to withstand wind velocity of up to 300 kilometers per hour.