The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that the Tuy-Dasmariñas transmission line, aimed at increasing generation capacity in the south, is nearing completion.
In briefing, Redi Allan Remoroza, NGCP assistant vice president and head of transmission planning, stated that the ₱8.1 billion, 500-kilovolt (kV) Tuy-Dasmariñas transmission line is expected to be finished by year-end.
“It’s a major transmission [project]… If we have the Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose 500 kV line in Bataan, this one would be in South Luzon. This is [slated for completion] in the fourth quarter,” he told reporters.
Upon operation, the line will enable the integration of approximately 5,215.5 megawatts (MW) of proposed generation capacity in Batangas, making it one of NGCP’s largest projects for 2025. Delays due to a court-ordered relocation, which increased construction and right-of-way costs, were previously encountered.
Meanwhile, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has deferred six NGCP capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects for further technical evaluation.
NGCP Spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza noted the criticality of some delayed projects, particularly the 230-kV San Simon substation, valued at approximately ₱4.4 million and initially scheduled for a 68-month implementation.
Once completed, the San Simon substation will address the growing demand from steel mills and related industries in San Simon, Pampanga, alleviate transmission facility overloading, and provide an alternative load source for the Mexico substation.
“The nearer you are to the load center, the more important it is. I saw a couple of projects that were very critical among the six [deferred projects],” she added.
She added that some delayed projects have been refiled, a common practice for projects requiring budget or design adjustments.
ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta explained that deferred NGCP projects require thorough regulatory assessment.
“Whenever we evaluate CAPEX applications of NGCP the first thing we need to know is if the project is justified. Justification would come in the form of the need to address a congestion in the line or need to expand the line when plants are coming in or there are voltage issues that need to be upgraded,” she told reporters.