THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to explain why it has yet to complete 37 electrification and power transmission projects across the country.
In its order, the ERC gave the NGCP 15 days to explain why it should not face any administrative penalty for the project delays.
The regulator said it has observed that the timelines for the NGCP’s approved capital expenditure (capex) projects were not followed and the grid operator’s implementation of its projects “have been delayed.”
The ERC listed 37 projects with a number of days delayed ranging from 21 to as high as 2,561 days.
Among those projects with high number of days delayed is the Tuy (Calaca)-Dasmariñas 500-kilovolt Transmission Line Project with a target completion of July 11, 2016, but as of date is only 82.48% complete and the date of energization expected by December 31, 2024. ERC said the project is 2,528 days delayed.
Likewise, the Bataan-Cavite/Metro Manila Transmission Line Project (Phase 1) Feasibility Study is 2,561 days delayed, it added.
The NGCP in May said it was not to be blamed for delays in its projects, some of which were stalled by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and right-of-way issues.
Some senators have pressed the ERC to refund the P2.75 per kilowatt hour being charged by the NGCP to Filipino consumers for supposedly unfinished projects. (ABS-CBN News)
