The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said it is working to repair one of its 138 kilovolt (kV) high voltage submarine cables damaged during dredging and re-channeling activities undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) along Bio-os River in Amlan, Negros Oriental last month.
NGCP said the cable which interconnects Negros and Cebu has two circuits of 138kV submarine cable with 90 megawatts (MW) capacity each or a total capacity of 180 MW.
NGCP said because of the damage, transmission capacity is currently limited to 90 MW between the two islands.
The systems operator said based on initial reports, the incident was caused partly by the deviation by the DPWH on the agreed work site.
NGCP requested the local government of Amlan and the DPWH to temporarily stop dredging operations and then immediately implemented measures to contain 495 liters of mineral oil that was spilled because of the incident.
The company said the Philippine Coast Guard as well as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources were informed of the incident.
