• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Negros Power said May 24 that it has restored electricity to three substations in Bacolod almost an hour ahead of schedule, following its upgrading works as part of the five-year rehabilitation plan.
This project aims to build a stronger and more reliable power system for electricity consumers in Bacolod City and nearby areas of central Negros, it added.
It said in an advisory last night that power was restored in Alijis, Asdes-Gonzaga, and Reclamation substations a little over 6 p.m., ahead of the 7 p.m. schedule, while that of Murcia substation resumed at 6:59 p.m.
The scope of work during the whole day power outage yesterday included line maintenance, pole replacement, and rerouting and reconfiguration.
“With the continuous growth in power demand in Bacolod and nearby areas, the current Bacolod-Bata line capacity of 126MVA is no longer enough to support the increasing load requirement,” the electric distribution utility provider, which also serves consumers in Bago, Talisay, Silay, Murcia, and Don Salvador Benedicto, explained.
Through this project, the line capacity will be upgraded to 220MVA to support the energization of two new substations – Capitol and Megaworld, each with a 37.5MVA capacity.
“The scheduled interruption is necessary to safely energize and connect these substations, which will help provide additional power capacity, more stable and reliable electricity service, reduced overloading and power fluctuations, and better support for the continuous growth and development of Bacolod and nearby areas,” it added.
The Negros Power or the Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) earlier secured a resolution interposing no objection (RONO) for its 69kV sub-transmission line projects from the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Bacolod.
“These projects form part of Negros Power’s five-year development plan and are intended to strengthen power reliability, system resiliency, and long-term capacity in key commercial, institutional, and growth corridors” of Bacolod City, Engr. Joe-Mel Zaporteza, vice president and chief operating officer of NEPC, said in his letter to Councilor Bobby Rojas, chairperson of the SP Committee on Energy and Public Utilities.
Based on the NEPC presentation to the SP, the new Capitol-Gonzaga 69kV sub-TL will cover Mabini, Galo, San Juan, and Fr. M. Ferrero streets, with 2.4 kilometers line and 41 poles; 1.6km line and 31 poles for the new Megaworld 69kV sub-TL covering Burgos Avenue to Lopez Jaena Street; 0.7km line and 12 poles, covering Gonzaga and Lopez Jaena streets for the new Megaworld-Gonzaga 69kV sub-TL; and replacement of five poles and installation midspan of 11 poles in the uprating of conductor for the Bata 69kV sub-TL along Hernaez Street and Circumferential Road.
The RONO request was for the orderly permitting and right-of-way processes, alignment with city development plans and barangay concerns, and to minimize disruption to traffic, businesses, and communities during implementation.
“In five years, Negros Power will have enhanced reliability, upgraded systems, improved safety, implemented maintenance, and increased efficiency improved substation performance,” Zaporteza stressed. | CGC
