The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) yesterday vowed to complete more transmission projects on time and help attain
100 percent total electrification by the end of President Marcos’ term under the 2023-2032 National Total Electrification Roadmap (NTER).
Anthony Almeda, NGCP president and chief executive officer, said in a statement the firm will collaborate closely with the Department of Energy in completing the Batangas-Mindoro interconnection project and the Northern Luzon 230kV loop.
Almeda said for the past 15 years, the NGCP has significantly expanded the country’s transmission network with big-ticket projects that include the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection, the Cebu-Negros-Panay 230kV Interconnection, and the full energization of the Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose 500kV transmission backbone in Western Luzon.
The Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose Transmission Line, which was inaugurated by President Marcos last July 12, stands to benefit 59 million Filipino consumers and other power users as the facility further secures and stabilizes the power transmission services in Luzon.
Almeda, however, recognized that total electrification of households in the country, especially in far flung areas, could still be a challenge but that does not deter the NGCP to do more in partnership with the DOE, the key agency that oversees the implementation of strategies outlined in the NTER.
Citing DOE data, NGCP said as of June 2023, t approximately 25.3 million households i have benefited from the electrification program, representing a household electrification level of 91.1 percent out of an estimated potential of 27.7 million households based on the 2020 Census on Population and Housing .
The DOE said there are 2.5 million unserved households or approximately 10.25 million people that need access to electricity.
Government has adopted various strategies to achieve 100 percent total electrification by 2028: regular connections, distribution line extensions, standalone home systems, and microgrid systems.
But Almeda cited the need for the construction of additional power plants as part of a broader strategy to ensure a stable and continuous power supply.
He also cited the importance of creating an investor-friendly environment that encourages the inflow of capital into the energy sector and ensures a level playing field.
“While the enhancement of transmission and distribution systems remains a priority, it is clear that these efforts must be complemented by the establishment of new power generation capacities and the creation of a more friendly business environment to make the sector more appealing to investors,” Almeda said.
