National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said Wednesday it is moving forward with the second phase of the P10.5-billion Mindanao Substation Upgrading Project.
NGCP said its energization of a 100-megavolt ampere power transformer in the Toril Substation marks the second phase of its efforts to upgrade substations in Mindanao.
The Toril substation serves the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company, which provides the electricity needs of Davao City.
“The energization of the transformer in Toril, as well as the energization of high voltage equipment and facilities all over Mindanao, will boost the grid’s overall reliability,” NGCP said in a statement.
The 100-MVA power transformer is the first energization under MSUP2. Ten substations in Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato and South Cotabato will be equipped with new power transformers to ensure continuous operations in the case of outages.
“The MSUP2 is again a testament to our commitment to expand and improve the country’s transmission grid, and to provide better services at a lower cost to the consumer,” the company said.
The second phase of the MSUP was filed at the Energy Regulatory Commission with a cost of P5.56 billion. The first phase of MSUP has an ERC-approved project cost of P5 billion.
“These upgrading efforts are ultimately geared towards readying the grid for the influx of businesses, industries, and investments in the region,” said NGCP.
The project will also address the N-1 compliance for the Mindanao grid, which is a requirement of the Philippine Grid Code.
NGCP said an N-1 contingency is the ability of the grid to withstand a major system disturbance with minimal or no impact to the system.
Under the first stage of the MSUP, power transformers with a 100-MVA rating were energized in NGCP’s Agus 6, Pitogo, Placer, NagaMin and General Santos substations.
NGCP energized power transformers with 75-MVA rating in Polanco, Opol and Maramag Substations and 50-MVA power transformers in San Francisco, Bislig and Kidapawan substations.
It also installed capacitor banks in Butuan, Tacurong, Pitogo, General Santos, San Francisco and Placer substations.