• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Electric and Power Corp.’s rehabilitation and strengthening of the Bacolod-Bata 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line has reached 70 percent completion and remains on track for completion by June this year.
In press briefing on Tuesday (May 12), Negros Power vice president and chief operating officer Joe-mel Zaporteza said the project is a major step toward improving the stability and reliability of electricity supply across Negros amid increasing power demand in Bacolod City and neighboring areas.
As of May 12, about 4.47 kilometers of the 6.5-kilometer transmission line upgrade have already been completed.
The project also includes the installation of stronger, higher-capacity wires capable of carrying more electricity as well as the erection of 10 out of 17 additional support poles needed to safely carry the heavier lines.
“In simple terms, stronger wires need stronger support,” Zaporteza explained, noting that additional structural and reinforcement works are ongoing to stabilize the upgraded transmission system.
He said the rehabilitation is being undertaken in anticipation of forecasted load growth in Bacolod and nearby cities.
“We need to add two new 37.5 MVA substations, increasing the Bacolod-Bata line load to 175 MVA from the current capacity of only 126 MVA. With the upgrade, the line capacity will increase to 220 MVA,” Zaporteza said.
The upgraded transmission line is expected to support the future energization of the 37.5 MVA Capitol Substation and the 37.5 MVA Megaworld Substation, which are seen as critical facilities for accommodating future development and rising electricity demand in Negros.
Negros Power also announced a major scheduled power interruption on May 24 to facilitate critical works, system preparations, and line transfer activities necessary for the safe integration of the upgraded system.
The outage will affect the Alijis Substation, Reclamation Substation, and Bata Substation from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., impacting around 78,000 consumers.
However, Zaporteza clarified that switching operations beginning at 7 a.m. are expected to allow the re-energization of approximately 30,000 consumers, reducing the number of affected customers to about 48,000 for the remainder of the 12-hour interruption.
“We understand this is a very big inconvenience to our consumers so this early, we are already appealing for their understanding,” Zaporteza said.
He added that the upgrades are expected to reduce power interruptions, prevent system overloading, and strengthen the overall reliability of the power network in Negros.
Negros Power assured consumers that while the ongoing works and scheduled interruptions may cause temporary inconvenience, the project is essential in building a stronger and more dependable power system for the province’s long-term growth and development. | GB
