The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is reconductoring existing transmission lines of its Amlan 69kV line in Amlan, Negros Oriental, to minimize brownouts in Dumaguete City as well as in nearby towns.
Michelle Visera of NGCP-Visayas said on Thursday that the reconductoring started on Feb. 16, resulting in a 13-hour power interruption.
Two more power interruptions are scheduled for March 9 and 22, Visara said.
The reconductoring, which allows linemen to replace existing transmission lines, is expected to be completed by the end of March.
Visera said the NGCP will replace existing transmission lines with larger cables to supply more power to areas serviced by the Amlan 69kV line and avoid brownouts.
“This is just a stop-gap measure to prevent manual load shedding (MLD) which was experienced last year due to the increasing power demand, especially in Dumaguete City,” she said.
“We are hoping the construction of the 138kV line to Dumaguete City, when completed, will address the local power requirements and brownouts will be eliminated,” she added.
Late last year, the NGCP announced during a Power 101 seminar here for media practitioners that the Amlan 69kV line has already reached a “critical stage,” with overloading triggering MLDs.
The Amlan 69kV line services San Jose, Sibulan, Dumaguete City and the towns of Valencia, Bacong, Dauin, Zamboanguita, and Siaton. These areas will be affected by the upcoming weekend power outages.
During the reconductoring, NGCP “line gangs” will replace transmission lines at 171 structures or poles across the eight aforementioned local government units.
Visera said the NGCP has sent 33 teams from the Visayas and Mindanao to augment its local workforce in Negros Oriental in order to fast-track the reconductoring.
The activity is also aimed at ensuring better power supply during the dry season, especially as heat indices are starting to rise.
The reconductoring also aims to provide uninterrupted power supply during the May 12 midterm elections, Visera said.*PNA