ILOILO City – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) cannot guarantee that Panay Island will be exempt from power interruptions, even after the completion of the Cebu-Negros-Panay backbone project’s third stage (CNP3).
It made the admission amid widespread expectations that the completion of CNP3 would end power outages in the region.
The completion of CNP3 is seen to prevent prolonged power blackouts. It would enable power supply from Cebu to augment Panay Island’s needs in case local power plants fail.
During the congressional inquiry led by House committee on energy yesterday, Iloilo City’s Cong. Julienne Baronda asked NGCP about the probability of blackouts after the CNP3 completion.
Redi Allan Remoroza, assistant vice president and head of NGCP’s Transmission Planning Department, responded that while CNP3 would bring significant improvements, it would not completely eliminate power interruptions because not all interruptions are related to transmission issues.
CNP3 involves establishing an overhead line between Negros and Cebu, as well as a submarine cable from San Carlos City to Toledo City, Cebu.
NGCP said the completion of CNP3 would be by March 2024 but Baronda pointed out the continued vulnerability to power interruptions despite this due to reliance on a single cable without backup.
She then inquired about the progress of the Mindoro-Batangas submarine grid, which the NGCP plans to extend to Panay Island.
Remoroza noted that the project is still in the pre-construction stage and will be implemented in phases, aiming for completion by December 2025, depending on the acquisition of the right of way.
Baronda asked the committee review NGCP’s adherence to its franchise obligations. She highlighted that under Section 2 of Republic Act 9511, NGCP’s 50-year franchise is conditional upon potential amendments and alterations by Congress if deemed necessary.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo stressed the need for an immediate solution to the blackout problem on Panay Island. He underlined two critical aspects: improving the management of the national grid and completing CNP3.
“A national grid without a backbone is not a national grid. We have to give it another name. A national grid with an unfinished backbone is a very weak national grid,” said Defensor.
Last week’s blackout from Jan. 2 to 5 covering Panay Island, Guimaras Island and part of Negros triggered the congressional inquiry./PN
