The energization of a 100 Megavolt Ampere (MVA) power transformer in NGCP’s Toril Substation marks the first milestone in the second phase of NGCP’s efforts to upgrade substations in Mindanao. The Toril substation serves the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company, which provides the electricity needs of Davao City.

The 100MVA power transformer is the first energization under NGCP’s Mindanao Substation Upgrading Project 2 (MSUP2). Under the project, ten (10) substations in Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato will be equipped with new power transformers to ensure continuous operations in the case of outages.

The project will also address the N-1 compliance for the Mindanao grid. A requirement of the Philippine Grid Code, an N-1 contingency is the ability of the grid to withstand a major system disturbance with minimal or no impact to the system.

For the first stage of the Mindanao Substation Upgrading Project, power transformers with a 100MVA rating were energized in NGCP’s Agus 6, Pitogo, Placer, NagaMin, and General Santos Substations. Power transformers with a 75MVA rating were also energized in Polanco, Opol, and Maramag Substations, and 50MVA power transformers in San Francisco, Bislig, and Kidapawan Substations. Capacitor banks were also installed in NGCP’s Butuan, Tacurong, Pitogo, General Santos, San Francisco, and Placer Substations.

“The energization of the transformer in Toril, as well as the energization of high voltage equipment and facilities all over Mindanao, will boost the grid’s overall reliability,” NGCP said. “These upgrading efforts are ultimately geared towards readying the grid for the influx of businesses, industries, and investments in the region,” added NGCP.

The second phase of the MSUP was filed with a cost of PhP5.56 Billion. The first phase of MSUP has an ERC-approved project cost of PhP5 Billion. “The MSUP2 is again testament to our commitment to expand and improve the country’s transmission grid, and to provide better services at a lower cost to the consumer,” the company said.
(PR)