With energy demand expected to continuously grow, it is necessary to reinforce the transmission infrastructure across the Philippines as the electricity network faces expansion. The transmission projects will allow the decongestion of existing transmission facilities and facilitate the connection of new power projects to the grid. Such was the case recently in the Western Visayan regions of Panay and Negros where the addition of significant renewable energy capacity created grid congestion that limited the potential benefit of renewable energy resources at these locations[1]. The quality and strength of the Philippine power grid is also subject to significant regional variation wherein Luzon which represents 72% of total load requirements has inherently been the focus of infrastructure improvements.
In 2017 to 2018, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) focused on upgrading substation capacities and expanding transmission backbones which completed a total of 552.24 circuit-kilometers (ckt-km) of overhead transmission lines, installed additional 851 megavolt amperes of (MVA) substation capacities and 35 megavolt amperes reactive (MVAR) or reactive power for voltage improvement.[2]
In 2019, thirteen (13) main grid projects were completed and energized by the NGCP including the addition of 55 ckt-km of transmission lines, 3,200 MVA and 1,352.5 MVAR of substation capacity. Table 16 shows a total of 20,079 ckt-km and 36,436 MVA substation capacities are accounted for in the transmission assets being managed by NGCP.[3]
Source: ADB, PHILIPPINE ENERGY SECTOR ASSESSMENT, STRATEGY AND ROAD MAP
[1] ADB, Philippines Energy Sector Assessment, Strategy and Road Map, 17. [2] DOE, Philippine Energy Plan 2018-2040, 117. [3] DOE, 2019 Power Situation Report, 24.