• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The new 18 megavolt amperes (MVA) transformer of Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) is now connected to the grid and has energized the Alijis Substation in Bacolod City on Sunday (Sept. 1).
While the energization was initially scheduled on Sept. 2, Negros Power said it completed the assembly of its accessories and other requirements ahead of schedule.
The 18 MVA power transformer will support the 10 MVA mobile substation installed at the Alijis Substation, which was energized on Aug. 26.
It will supply electricity to six feeders of the Alijis Substation, with a capacity reaching 16.5 megawatts (MW).
However, portions of Alijis Feeders 2 and 6 will remain connected to the Reclamation and ASDES-Gonzaga Substations’ feeders to address their supply shortfall.
The damaged transformer of Alijis Substation on Aug. 21 triggered widespread power outages across seven feeders and affected about 48,000 consumers.
Power was restored on Aug. 26, with the help of the 10 MVA mobile substation provided to Negros Power by its sister company, MORE Power, that was brought in from Iloilo City.
The breakdown of the 13-year-old power transformer at the Alijis Substation led to its early rehabilitation on top of six other substations previously owned by Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco), which are now breaching the standard threshold or already reaching critical operational levels.
Their rehabilitation will be prioritized when Negros Power fully implements the P2-billion five-year development plan in central Negros.
Negros Power and Ceneco entered into a joint venture agreement to augment the financial needs in the rehabilitation and modernization of the electric distribution assets and meet the power demand of the increasing number of consumers. | GB
