NGCP energizes Cebu-Bohol interconnection
By Gabriell Christel Galang – Nov 26, 2024 03:16 PM
from Manila Bulletin
National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has energized the Cebu-Bohol Interconnection Project (CBIP), a new transmission facility that will address the growing power demand in the region.
In a statement on Tuesday, Nov. 26, NGCP said the CBIP “will play a crucial role in improving transmission services and grid stability in Central Visayas.”
The project, which was energized in two phases on July 16 and Sept. 27, 2024, establishes a new 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission link between Cebu and Bohol with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts.
This connection comprises 54.6 circuit-kilometers of submarine cables across the Bohol Strait and 97.6 circuit-kilometers of overhead lines connecting Argao in Cebu to Maribojoc in Bohol.
“It will also help improve the transmission highway in Cebu, the load center of Visayas, with a new line to transmit power in and out of the province,” NGCP added.
The CBIP provides a vital N-1 contingency for Bohol, meaning the grid can withstand a major system disturbance, such as an outage of the existing Leyte-Bohol line, without causing widespread power interruptions. This redundancy significantly enhances the reliability of Bohol’s electricity supply.
NGCP noted that “the CBIP is part of a long-term plan to provide a 230kV loop covering Leyte, Cebu, and Bohol.”
This loop will further strengthen the Visayas grid, ensuring greater stability and security of power supply for the region.
The project, initially filed with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in 2017 and refiled in 2019, received provisional approval on Jan. 9, 2022, with a cost of P19.76 billion.
Despite facing challenges in right-of-way acquisition, NGCP acknowledged the support of national and local government agencies and stakeholders in facilitating the project’s completion.
This project follows other successful NGCP initiatives, including the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) Backbone Project, and the Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose (MHSJ) 500kV Transmission Line.
NGCP emphasized the importance of continued government support and timely permitting processes to further enhance the nation’s power grid.
