THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the country’s power transmission-line concessionaire, said on Friday that it recently held a groundbreaking for the substation component of its P1.4-million Southern Panay Backbone Transmission Project (SPBTP) in barangay Igbonglo, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.
The NGCP said the groundbreaking was attended by Antique Gov. Exequiel Javier and Vice Gov. Rosie Dimamay, San Jose de Buenavista Mayor Roni Molina, Igbonglo barangay captain Farly dela Cruz; Yan Jia Yuan, Xian Electric deputy manager; Jimmy Constantino of K Energy; and officials of the Antique Chamber of Commerce and the NGCP.
The NGCP said the municipality of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, hosts the new substation that will be constructed along with the expansion of nearby Sta. Barbara substation.
Shan Shewu, NGCP board director, said the project will not only benefit Antique but the whole island of Panay, as well. Shewu further noted that the completion of the SPBTP will assure Panay island of a stronger and more reliable power transmission system.
Shewu added that the project, scheduled to be completed in June 2012, is part of the larger Panay Power Transmission Backbone, which involves the construction of a total of 195 kilometers of 138-kilovolt (kV) and 69-kV overhead transmission lines utilizing steel tower structures.
The NGCP said work on the 138-kV transmission line component of the project already started on April 8.
Shewu said the project aims to accommodate load growth in support of Panay island’s socioeconomic development; improve voltage profile in Southern Panay as prescribed by the Philippine Grid Code; and enhance system reliability and operational flexibility.
Molina lauded the NGCP for bringing development closer to those who need it, saying the project will give reliable power supply to the province and facilitate the entry of investors in the municipality, particularly business-process outsourcing (BPO) or call centers.
Dominador Geonzon, NGCP officer in charge for planning and engineering, said the support and endorsement of local officials in Antique paved the way for the smooth implementation of the SPBNTP.
Javier said the transmission project is the biggest private investment that came to Antique. Some investors, he said, are hesitant to come to Antique because power supply comes from power barges in Iloilo and other sources outside the province.
Javier also extended his gratitude to NGCP president and chief executive Henry Sy Jr. for locating the project in Antique.
