Philippines begins $350m Western Luzon grid expansion project
It will accommodate the bulk generation in the Zambales area, such as the 2x300MW RP energy coal fired power plant.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is beginning its $350m (PHP17.9b) expansion of the Western Luzon 500kV backbone project to cater to the impending load growth in the region, an announcement revealed.
The project will be constructed to accommodate the bulk generation in the Zambales area, such as the 2x300MW RP energy coal fired power plant.
The first stage of the project will see the construction of the Catillejos-Hermosa 500kV transmission line, which will be connected to the new Hermosa substation. The ERC-approved $26m (PHP1.34b) project is expected to be completed by Q2 2020.
The second stage of the project will involve the construction of a new Castillejos substation, Bolo substation, and the Castillejos-Bolo 500kV transmission line, to be completed by 2025, NGCP noted.
Apart from the two stages, the agency is also said to be gearing up for its other projects in Bataan, particularly the Mariveles-Hermosa 500kV transmission line project, the Hermosa-San Jose 500kV transmission line project and the Hermosa-Floridablanca 69kV transmission line project.
“The construction of the Mariveles-Hermosa 500kV transmission line project will serve as a new transmission corridor to accommodate around 2.84MW from power plants such as the GN Power Dinginin coal fired power plant, SMC consolidated power coal fired power plant, and the KEPCO-HHIC coal fired power plant project,” NGCP said, adding that the project entails the construction of a new Mariveles substation along with the transmission line.
The Western Luzon 500kV backbone, Mariveles-Hermosa 500kV transmission line, Hermosa-San Jose 500kV transmission line and Hermosa-Floridablanca 69kV transmission line projects have been certified by the Energy Investment Coordinating Council as energy projects of national significance in January.