The 81-megawatt Caparispisan wind power project in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte remains offline after two transmission towers of North Luzon Renewable Energy Corp. toppled due to damage suffered from explosives.
Energy Undersecretary Mylene Capongcol confirmed that the wind project remains offline and added that an investigation into the bombing of the privately-owned towers is ongoing.
Capongcol said the wind project, the second biggest wind project in Ilocos Norte, will be online once repair of the two towers commences.
“No feedback yet but please note that the damaged towers are private-owned and not NGCP [National Grid Corporation of the Philippines],” Capongcol said.
North Luzon Renewable reported that a little after 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18, its wind project in Pagudpud was disconnected from the Luzon Grid due to a tripping of its interconnection facility.
It was determined in the early morning of Friday, Feb. 19, that two of its transmission towers in Barangay Tadao in the Municipality of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, had toppled. The towers are located outside the wind farm facility.
Initial investigations indicate that explosives were used to take down the transmission towers. No one has claimed responsibility at this time.There were no fatalities or injuries related to the incident.
“NLR is working to ensure that we are connected to the grid at the soonest possible time,” it said.