The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has reenergized lines 1 and 2 of its Biñan-Muntinlupa 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line, following a fire incident that damaged its transmission tower in Alabang last week.
“We were able to re-energize Biñan-Muntinlupa 230 kV lines 1 and 2 just a few hours after we set Tower 34 to its temporary location at the rightmost lane of the Alabang exit. The energization entails full utility of the line and easing the loads of the same facility’s lines 3 and 4,” NGCP said.
Tower 34 of the said line leaned on April 19 due to a fire caused by informal settlers living underneath the tower.
Although the legs of the tower were extensively damaged due to the fire, the pylon did not topple and did not cause any interruption of transmission services. As a redundancy measure, NGCP transferred the power carried by lines 1 and 2 to lines 3 and 4, ensuring that power service delivery to its customers continues.
Once the fire was extinguished, NGCP immediately mobilized its personnel to assess the extent of the damage and, at the same time, prepared all necessary machinery and resources to expedite the restoration of the tower and reenergization of the line.
NGCP mobilized cranes to lift the leaning tower and prepared it to be set to its temporary position. The setting of the tower was completed with minimal disruption to traffic passing through the Alabang viaduct.
NGCP was also in full coordination with the Manila Toll Expressway System and local traffic management offices to make sure that effects to motorists and the public will be minimized while restoration works are in progress.
“We are very relieved that the repair works have gone smoothly and we have minimized the impact of this accident to our customers, the nearby community, and the public. NGCP wants to make sure that we deliver on our commitment and in three days, we have,” NGCP stated.
According to the company, repairs will still continue to construct the permanent structure at the original position.
The company, once again, appealed to local government units and the public to help protect its transmission facilities by respecting right-of- way and safety clearances.
“They also pose a hazard to the transmission facilities and to the public. We are asking those who are living under our transmission facilities to move to a safer location, away from our lines and towers to ensure that delivery of power to communities remain stable and uninterrupted,” NGCP said.