NGCP energizes 3 provinces in Visayas

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has energized on Monday the provinces of Samar, Cebu, and Leyte, following the implementation of its alternative power restoration scheme after the onslaught of Typhoon Odette (international code name Rai).

The grid operator implemented the alternative power restoration scheme on Sunday night, beginning with the successful synchronization of Leyte A Malitbog Unit 1 with Tongonan Power Plant, extending power to the Cebu subgrid. With this, power transmission services were gradually extended to parts of Samar and Leyte.

While transmission services have been extended through an interim scheme, NGCP said restoration of damaged 69kV lines is still ongoing.

The NGCP is still assessing the extent of damage in other parts of Leyte, Negros, and Bohol. As of late Sunday afternoon, NGCP said the typhoon damaged a total of 12 towers and 462 transmission structures.

Also, the grid operator restored the transmission services in Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte, with the energization of the Butuan-Bayugan 69kV line.

NGCP is targeting to restore transmission services in Surigao del Norte, including Siargao Island, and Surigao del Sur on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, the three 138kV backbone lines in Cebu are set for energization on December 21 and 22. Restoration of these backbone lines will provide the interim power restoration highway in the said provinces.

“We also appeal for the cooperation of all landowners in the ongoing restoration activities. Line personnel working on the Kabankalan-Sipalay 69kV Line serving NOCECO in Negros Occidental are being hampered from repairing broken and leaning poles by a landowner barring access to his property,” it said.

NGCP has fully restored transmission services in Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Biliran, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Davao Oriental.

A total of 65 line gangs, or 520 personnel, working 24/7 when weather and safety conditions permit, were deployed by NGCP to expedite post-Odette restoration works.