The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) expects an extended delay in the completion of one its biggest power grid expansion projects following the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the construction of its Cebu-Magdugo 230 kilovolt (kV) line.
NGCP said the line is a component of the Cebu-Negros-Panay Stage 3 (CNP3) backbone project which is crucial to the full operation of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP).
The company said the TRO was issued on September 11 in response to the petition filed by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) as two tower sites of the transmission project fall under the latter’s property.
TIEZA intends to develop a golf course on the site.
NGCP was issued a Writ of Possession of the property as early as October 2022.
NGCP said upon receiving the TRO, it stopped all project-related operations near tower 111 and the associated sections of towers 110 -112.
The company said it submitted its response to the petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court on September 26.
NGCP said the completion of the Cebu-Magdugo 230kV line is crucial to fully utilize the 450 megawatts (MW) transfer of power from the MVIP on the Visayas side.
“NGCP’s projects are all critical for improving the power grid and boosting economic development. Hindering the completion of these critical infrastructures will not just affect NGCP, but the communities and businesses affected by these delays. We are appealing to our stakeholders – we share the same goal of pushing for progress. Energy stability is critical to economic progress. We need your support to expedite and make it happen,” said NGCP in a statement.
The MVIP and the CNP3 have been identified as energy projects of national significance as these are integral to economic development.
In April 2017, NGCP filed its application with the Energy Regulatory Commission to commence the implementation of the MVIP. The project was approved in July 2017 with a total cost of P51.3 billion.
MVIP is comprised of a 184 circuit-kilometer of High-Voltage Direct Current submarine transmission line connecting the power grids of Mindanao and Visayas with a transfer capacity of 450 MW expandable to as much as 900 MW. -Jed Macapagal
