Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) has started the implementation of its comprehensive five-year development plan for their facilities in central Negros this year.
The plan involves both rehabilitating the aging infrastructure acquired from Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) and modernizing the electrical distribution system to meet current and future demands, according to the distribution facility.
Negros Power has allocated a budget of P2.5 billion for the rehabilitation plan.
This investment, according to Negros Power, is crucial, noting that Ceneco’s previous lack of financial capital led to unreliable and inefficient electricity service.
It further noted that the aging substations, lines, poles and transformers and lack of new equipment resulted in frequent unscheduled power interruptions, increased system losses, and a decline in electricity quality.
As it is now stepping in to address these long-standing issues, Negros Power said it is effectively picking up where Ceneco left off.
“Without this investment, we would be facing a future of worsening power outages, unable to keep pace with the growing demand fueled by ongoing development,” it added.
Stressing that the transformation does not come without its challenges, Negros Power said that the physical infrastructure, complex systems, and the nature of electricity itself mean that any work comes with inherent risks and inconveniences, adding that a key part of the process involves temporary power outages during repairs and upgrades.
Negros Power also announced that it has started with the most critical components, with the 69kv sub-transmission lines connecting to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, substations and feeder lines, which are the backbone of the system, and any failure can lead to widespread and prolonged outages.
The distribution facility also said the five-year timeline allows them for a phased and strategic approach, minimizing inconvenience to consumers.
While temporary power interruptions will be experienced, Negros Power said it is committed to providing advance schedules, allowing consumers to plan and adjust accordingly. ||
