The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the proposed Balaoan-Laoag 500 kiloVolt (kV) transmission line project in Ilocos Region of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
The ERC said in an issuance the project is approved for P20.65 billion, subject to optimization based on its actual use and verified expenses incurred.
ERC chair Monalisa Dimalanta, said in a message to reporters over the weekend, NGCP was given until November 2026 to complete the project.
Based on the original filing, the Balaoan-Laoag 500 kV transmission line will cater to the entry of the proposed 1,200 megawatts (MW) Luna coal-fired power plant in La Union and the 500 MW Coheco Badeo pumped storage hydro electric power plant in Benguet.
NGCP said the line will be for the capacities of renewable energy projects in Ilocos and address forecasted load growth. The company earlier said the project’s first stage will be implemented in 57 months and the second stage for 70 months.
