NGCP to extend transmission lines to meet peak power demand in 2040
By BusinessMirror – June 27, 2018
THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) plans to increase the length of its total transmission line to 35,312 circuit kilometers (ckm) and its total substation capacity to 88,036 megavolt-amperes (MVA) in a bid to accommodate the projected peak demand nationwide in 2040.
As of March this year, the NGCP has a total transmission line length of 20,848.54 ckm and a total substation capacity of 34,177 MVA, spread across Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
The grid operator said on Wednesday that, as demand for electricity continues to grow, there is also a need to strengthen the country’s transmission facilities.
In 2017 system peak demand for electricity reached 13,789 megawatts nationwide. This is projected to reach 49,844 MW by 2040, according to the latest data from the Department of Energy (DOE).
To meet the projected system peak demand of 49,844 MW nationwide, the NGCP is determined to expand the transmission lines and substation capacity.
These improvements are stated in the Transmission Development Plan 2016-2040. The TDP is aligned and harmonized with the DOE’s Power Development Plan 2016-2040, which details the government agency’s planning horizon for the Philippine energy sector.
“Through our TDP, we can ensure that we have the necessary infrastructure to fulfill our vision of a strong, unified electricity transmission network that can meet the country’s increasing power needs until 2040—and beyond,” the NGCP said.
The NGCP’s overall long-term objectives addressed through TDP are to expand access to electricity, ensure transparency and accountability in the local energy market, and secure a reliable and affordable energy supply.
Thye NGCP’s TDP strategically lays out the plans for the further expansion of the Philippine power grid, and details the electricity transmission projects that have been proposed and scheduled for implementation for the next 25 years.
As the system operator, the NGCP also oversees grid security and reliability, power quality, and power dispatching and scheduling. As such, the NGCP designed the TDP to help identify and mitigate causes of power interruptions and transmission-related outages.
The TDP also addresses the transmission- planning approach for the renewable-energy sector, particularly wind and solar. It details NGCP’s corresponding action plans to fully support the development and integration of renewable energy into the country’s power grid.
