Meralco inaugurates new substation for Laguna semiconductor firm
By Alena Mae S. Flores – May 23, 2023, 6:25 pm
from manilastandard.net
Power retailer Manila Electric Co. and STMicroelectronics Inc. inaugurated the new 115-kV gas-insulated switchgear substation at Light Industry and Science Park 2 in Calamba City, Laguna.
The new substation will help meet the growing demand for power of STMi, the largest European semiconductor contract manufacturing and design company.
It will facilitate the upgrading of STMI’s electric service to 115 kilovolts from 34.5 kV and accommodate the projected increase in demand to 20 megawatts by 2027 from 14 MW last year.
The facility houses one 115 kV high-voltage gas-insulated switchgear, two 30 MVA power transformers, one 4.16 kV medium-voltage switchgear, two 750 kVAr capacitor banks and various protective devices.
Meralco also recently commissioned the new La Mesa 115 kV switching station also within the LISP 2.
The project, which will improve the system reliability and power quality in the area, consists of a gas circuit breaker, three sets of disconnect switches and standard connection and metering facilities for the Philippine office of STMI.
“These projects are expected to address not only the limited power supply of ST Calamba, which is one of our highest operational risks, but also our future power supply demand, our power quality, our carbon neutrality strategy and will definitely improve our site power resilience,” STMI vice president and general manager Yong Suk Kwon said.
Meralco first vice president and chief commercial officer Ferdinand Geluz urged companies to work closely with the power distributor for their various energy requirements.
“Through our dedicated relationship management teams, Meralco works hand-in-hand with its Enterprise customers to identify and tailor-fit solutions that will ensure reliable power for their operational requirements,” he said.
Meralco continues to meet the requirements of industrial customers as part of its commitment to contribute to improving the country’s infrastructure and ensuring energy security, which falls under the government’s socio-economic agenda, said Meralco senior vice president and head of networks Ronnie Aperocho.
“This new STMI substation along with our new La Mesa Switching Station is designed to support the growing power requirements of STMI’s Philippine office through the delivery of safe, adequate, reliable, and high-quality electricity service which is consistent with our commitment to our more than 7.6 million customers,” he said.
