NGCP sets P1 billion project in Zambo; Celso cites plan as another sign of dev’t
Officials from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (formerly NPC) yesterday announced the implementation of a 138 kilovolt transmission line and sub-station project costing roughly P1 billion for Zamboanga City.
As this developed, Mayor Celso Lobregat welcomed this development saying it is proof that Zamboanga is moving forward by leaps and bounds. The project will complement the increasing power demand in the city due to the numerous investments being put up here.
Peter Jubas, NGCP Mindanao Projects Division head and Engr. Ruben Conti, NGCP consultant yesterday morning met with Mayor Celso Lobregat to discuss plans for the immediate implementation of the project through the AER Construction and Development Company Inc. and ALRAF Construction and Enterprises joint venture.
Among the concerns tackled were the acquisition of the road right of way for the passage of the transmission lines.
The supply and delivery of transmission line materials is hundred percent complete and what is being awaited is the construction of transmission lines from Sangali in the east coast to Pitogo in the west coast.
The proposed transmission line reinforcement between Sangali and Pitogo aims to provide or extend reliable bulk power services in Western Mindanao. It is also intended to remedy operational problems such as line outages and at the same time provide for the projected increase in power demand in the area.
The project covers 32 km transmission lines made up of 225 steel towers, according to Jubas. “This will really improve the transmission of power from Sangali to Zamboanga City and this will also address the increasing demand of power in Zamboanga”.
Engr. Conti said the trickle down effects would be the hiring of local people to undertake the project and will ensure power availability, reliability and quality.
The project, according to Engr. Conti, is intended to answer the power demand of Zamboanga City for the next 10-15 years.
“The load of Zamboanga in terms of megawatt and megawatt hours is growing by leaps and bounds so we, the power utility industry has to meet this demand that is why we are investing over one billion pesos,” the NGCP consultant stressed.
He stressed power demand of Zamboanga City is quite large, equivalent to the demand of the rest of region 9 and that it growing very fast.
Based on NGCP records, consumption through power transmitter 1 is 37.69 mw while power transformer 2 consumption is pegged at 42.3 megawatts. (Sheila Covarrubias)