NGCP empowers electric cooperatives through technical training

During a recent training that power transmission network operator NGCP hosted, attendees like lineman Melvin Geron appreciated the value of the day’s series of talks which covered basic lineman’s skills.

“The training proved to be a big help for us who are just starting out as linemen, especially when it came to how to use and tie a spike, and how to climb a post,” said Geron, who has been with the Cabanatuan City Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CELCOR) since 2012.

“Even if we have a man-lift, it is better that we learned how to climb a post in the event our man-lift breaks down,” he added.

As the operator of the country’s transmission network, NGCP works closely with electric cooperatives like CELCOR in ensuring that the power produced by generators flows smoothly and uninterrupted to distribution utilities.

Recognizing the different challenges of these utilities such as providing skills enhancement support for its personnel, NGCP lends a hand to its partners by holding priority technical trainings for power distributors nationwide.

The program acquaints linemen and other technical personnel in distribution utilities with a wide range of perspectives from the basic skills upgrades to advanced technical trainings such as sharing of best practices in managing and maintaining high-voltage lines.

“Over the years, NGCP cultivated the technical expertise to sustain and strengthen the country’s power grid. By sharing it to our partner distribution utilities, especially the electric cooperatives, we empower them to become a better service provider to their franchise area,” NGCP said.

“We believe that the key players of the energy sector should work closely with each other to ensure the reliable and continuous transmission of electricity.”

NGCP’s initiative likewise supports the thrust of the National Electrification Administration to improve the quality of service provided by electric cooperatives.

“Even with a well-functioning power transmission system, there will still be service interruptions if we are not working closely with our partner distribution utilities,” NGCP said.

The program has three modules, namely Basic Lineman’s Training, or Maintenance of 69kV line; Overcurrent Protection Relay Training; and Electrical Safety Training. These topics have been chosen not only because they are areas of expertise of NGCP but also because they are crucial for the daily maintenance and management of power lines.

As of December 5, 2017, a total of 100 training sessions have been conducted nationwide. NGCP aims to train all 129 distribution utilities across the country.