By Raymart Escopel
THE 132 towers toppled by super typhoon “Yolanda” along Panitan-Nabas 138 kilovolt (kV) line is already energized, according to National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) District 4 Visayas Operations and Maintenance Chief Engr. Rey Jaleco.
Panitan-Nabas transmission line supplies Aklan Electric Cooperative and Antique Electric Cooperative.
The temporary lines, which aim to address the problem of overloading, were installed in the said area. They were fully energized on May 25, Jaleco added.
NGCP utilized materials coming from the different regions in order to fast-track the restoration and normalize voltage regulation especially the island of Boracay where big businesses like hotels, restaurants and resorts are among the most affected.
There are no permanent towers erected so far. Yet, the Engineering Department of NGCP said the currently re-designed permanent towers can withstand more than 300 kilometer per hour typhoon, said NGCP Regional Communications Division Nelson Bautista in a previous interview.
It will take two to three years before the permanent towers will be erected, he added.
Aside from the 132 towers destroyed in Panit-an – Nabas, there are also a total of five towers destroyed in the transmission lines located in Dingle – Panit-anan.
Jaleco said the repair of the said towers is ongoing and they are targeting to finish the repair within the year./PN
