NGCP working to reconnect transmission lines affected by Typhoon Odette

By MCL – January 7, 2022 | 5:28 pm
from Business World

THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said permanently reconnecting Bohol to Leyte transmission lines affected by Typhoon Odette last month is still their biggest challenge and is targeted to be done by April 30. 

“There is much to be done in reconnecting the Tagay-Ubay 138-kilovolt (kV) line to fix transmission in Bohol to Leyte lines,” Randy A. Galang, NGCP Head of Visayas Systems Planning, said at a press conference on Friday. 

The grid operator has restored 87 or 92% of its 95 transmission lines that were affected by Typhoon Odette last month. 

The official said they will use a 500-kV design, which is sturdier compared to the toppled 138-KV towers. 

The toppled towers are in Mainland Bohol and Lapinig island in Leyte, crossing the Basiao Channel. 

The new towers will also be able to withstand 300-kilometer-per-hour (kph) wind velocity, higher than the previous 240-kph capacity. 

They will be made from lighter materials, specifically a 27.73-millimeter (mm) conductor versus 29 mm previously, as this would prevent the lines from sagging, allowing the new tower to be built shorter at 120 meters from 150 meters. 

“Aside from working on this permanent solution, we are also looking into a temporary solution by using an emergency restoration system (ERS), which we are currently studying,” Mr. Galang said, adding they are working on finalizing this as soon as possible. 

“The challenge there is on how we can bring the ERS to the restoration sites as most are located on top of the mountains,” he said.