Another project of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) hit a snag after the Supreme Court (SC) issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the company from carrying out one of the components crucial to the completion of the Panay-Guimaras 138-kilovolt (kV) interconnection project.
NGCP is also involved in a land dispute with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority over the Kang-Irag property in Cebu which may affect the construction of the Cebu-Magdugo 230 kV line.
NGCP said the Panay-Guimaras project will address the increasing demand for power in Iloilo City and will provide greater transfer capacity to and from Guimaras Island where renewable energy projects are being developed.
The company said last April, the SC granted the petition of Iloilo Grain Complex Corp. (IGCC) for certiorari and prohibition with very urgent application for TRO and/or writ of preliminary injunction.
The TRO prevented NGCP from executing the writ of possession (WOP) and all other related orders issued by the Iloilo Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 33 dated December 12, 2022.
NGCP said two tower sites fall under the property of IGCC.
The 1.7-kilometer transmission line will connect the proposed Iloilo substation to the Ingore cable terminal station which will serve as the connection point of the submarine cable to Guimaras Island.
“The SC’s decision is disheartening as it hinders us from fulfilling our commitment to the residents of the islands of Panay and Guimaras, including fast-developing Iloilo City. Nevertheless, we steadfastly maintain our dedication to enhancing power transmission within the area despite this setback,” NGCP said in a statement.
The Panay-Guimaras 138kV interconnection has an applied budget of P3.01 billion but is yet to be approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission. Deadline for completion is December 2024.
NGCP said it is forced to advance the project even as the approval of the budget is pending ensure uninterrupted power services.
NGCP said it fully complied with the requisites for WOP issuance and continues to reach out to IGCC for an expeditious and amicable settlement.
The company said IGCC’s proposal to re-route through a residential area directly traversing five households may affect adjacent towers and cause further delay to the completion of the project.
The original route is an open area.
“We are hopeful for the urgent resolution of the issue so as not to hamper the interconnection which will improve the region’s power transmission backbone,” the company said.
“When we plot the route of our transmission line projects, a major consideration is the existence of structures and residents. We aim to traverse areas that will cause least destruction to property, and result in the least number of persons displaced… In the interest of the public’s convenience and the continuing growth of Iloilo, we will do what we can to push the immediate completion of this critical project,” NGCP added.
