MONTE Solar Energy Inc.(Montesol), a joint venture between AC Energy and Bronzeoak Philippines, is seeking Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approval to build a P21.03-million dedicated facility that will connect its 15.3-megawatt (MW) solar-power facility to the Visayas grid.
In an eight-page application, Montesol proposed the development and ownership of interconnection facilities, which shall connect Montesol’s solar-power facility in Bais City, Negros Oriental, to the 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP). The dedicated facility project shall be used solely by Montesol for its dispatch.
“Connecting Montesol’s switchyard to the Amlan-Guihulngan 69-kV line is a prerequisite to the commercial operations of the solar-power plant. It is only in line with the policy of the state to grant Montesol provisional authority to develop and own or operate the dedicated point-to-point facility to connect Montesol to the Visayas grid so it could commence commercial operations at the soonest possible time.
There is, therefore, sufficient basis for the issuance of a provisional authority pending the issuance of a final decision,” Montesol said.
The dedicated transmission project maybe completed in approximately six months. It will be fully funded by the joint venture.
NGCP shall be in charge of the operation, service, and maintenance of Montesol’s proposed project.
The demand for electricity in Visayas has an average annual growth rate of 4.52 percent. To avoid power outages, which would greatly inconvenience consumers and may adversely affect investment, it is important to ensure that generation facilities are able to distribute sufficient power to meet the demand as it arises, the company said.