BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The Department of Energy (DOE) has approved MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to submit their ancillary agreement for reserve power of 50 to 60 megawatts (MW) for Panay Island.
In a press conference yesterday, Mayor Jerry Treñas said the DOE gave clearance to MORE Power and NGCP to submit their proposal for an ancillary reserve which aims to ensure continuous power supply to the island and maintain grid stability.
“We are facing a very challenging year and we need the cooperation and support of all the stakeholders,” said Treñas.
The mayor voiced his appreciation to the energy department for finally giving such approval for the two entities to submit their proposal aims at commissioning the diesel plant of Panay Power Corporation (PPC) in Barangay Ingore, La Paz district for the ancillary supply of 50 to 60 MW for Panay Island.
“The ancillary reserve agreement will ensure of backup power supply if one power generator breaks down,” Treñas explained.
The Palm Concepcion Power Corporation (PCPC) earlier said it shut down its 135-MW coal-fired power plant in Concepcion, Iloilo for a preventive maintenance system (PMS).
The maintenance of the 135-MW circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) power plant has started from Feb. 18 until March 30, 2024.
The plant was scheduled for maintenance to perform a “major overhaul of the turbine and generator.”
It developed after General Electric (GE), an independent service contractor they hired, inspected and tested the plant and discovered the generator “sustained stator insulation damage.”
Stator insulation damage in a power plant can occur due to overheating, moisture ingress, electrical stresses, and mechanical damage.
The stator is a critical component of a generator, and its insulation is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electrical winding.
When insulation is damaged, it can lead to electrical faults, reduced efficiency, and ultimately, generator failure.
“There is a need really for on-island additional power generation. But how to get that is going to be a challenge for all of us, but I’m sure it’s going to be profitable for those who are going to be interested,” said Treñas.
Panay Island’s power requirement is increasing by 16 percent per year, the PCPC reported.
“Our power supply is very, very limited and that is why we need the help of all stakeholders,” the city mayor said.
He also said that about 240 MW can now pass through the newly-energized Cadiz – Calatrava 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line 2 by the NGCP.
Spanning 80 kilometers of transmission line from Cadiz City to Calatrava town in Negros Occidental, the project will transmit power from Cebu through the Magdugo substation to Calatrava going to Cadiz, EB Magalona, and Barotac Viejo in Iloilo.
NGCP president Anthony Almeda also confirmed to Treñas the completion of the much-awaited 230 kV Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) backbone project stage 3.
Treñas voiced his appreciation to the technical personnel of NGCP for energizing the power line, which is considered one of the vital components of the Cebu-Negros-Panay Interconnection.
“I am very elated with the report of NGCP that the Cadiz- Calatrava 230kV line 2 was successfully energized today. This successful undertaking will benefit the people of Panay,” Treñas added.
The CNP backbone project 3 is considered one of the significant transmission infrastructure initiatives of the NGCP, the country’s sole grid operator. Hence, it is seen to enhance the reliability and efficiency of power transmission in the Visayas region.
The completion of the transmission project is expected to upgrade the capacity of the existing submarine cable and improve sharing of excess power generation from the rest of the grid towards Negros and Panay Island.
The long-delayed completion of the CNP backbone project limits the capacity of power import of Panay from Negros grid thru the existing 138kV Negros-Panay submarine cable resulting in the long duration of Panay grid blackout.
But with the completion of the CNP backbone project, ancillary services or standby reserve of NGCP for the Visayas from Cebu may now be augmented in Panay to prevent blackout due to the absence of an N-1 or alternate grid connection in Panay Island.
The completion of the CNP backbone will also expand the overall capacity of the Visayas grid, allowing for future growth in electricity demand./PN
