The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the establishment of a technical working group (TWG) to investigate the damage sustained by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) transmission facilities in Cebu in 2023. The damage was caused by excavation work conducted by a contractor for another government agency.
The incident caused the tripping of Line 2 of NGCP’s Cebu-Mandaue 138-kilovolt underground power line in Mandaue City, disrupting power supply and impacting commercial activities in the region.
“There was already an initial assessment by [a] technical team, but the TWG is necessary to make sure not just technical but legal and market-related issues are addressed as well, including [the] formulation of rules that would apply to similar incidents,” ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta stated.
Dimalanta added that while a preliminary technical assessment has been completed, the TWG aims to ensure a comprehensive resolution and develop policies to prevent similar incidents in the future. ERC also noted that the investigation’s scope, timeline, and composition may be adjusted as needed.
“This will also include rules to address similar incidents moving forward, which could affect how contractors work near critical infrastructure,” Dimalanta noted.
How the damage happened
On January 21, 2023, a backhoe operated by a contractor for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) struck NGCP’s Cebu-Mandaue Line 2 during excavation work in Brgy. Umapad, causing the transmission line to trip around 10:00 AM.
To address the issue, NGCP temporarily redirected up to 180 megawatts (MW) of the affected load to Line 1, allowing transmission services to resume in areas served by Visayan Electric Co. (VECO) and Mactan Electric Co.
Before the incident, Cebu-Mandaue’s 138-kilovolt (kV) Lines 1 and 2 supplied 274 MW of power to the two electric providers.
NGCP completed repairs and restored the second underground line five months after the incident on June 26, 2023, allowing it to transmit up to 360 MW.
While power was fully restored, the ERC formed the TWG to investigate accountability, address technical and legal concerns, and develop measures to prevent similar incidents.
What the TWG hopes to accomplish
The TWG’s findings could significantly impact businesses in Cebu, where a stable power supply is essential for commercial activity. Even brief disruptions can increase operational expenses and reduce revenue, affecting industries from manufacturing to retail.
Cebu has been actively addressing power supply challenges to support its rapid economic growth. In early 2024, Governor Garcia expressed concerns about Cebu’s energy future, noting that the province’s power demand exceeds the national average year-on-year, highlighting the urgency of securing a reliable power supply.
The investigation may also influence future infrastructure management, potentially establishing new guidelines to minimize risks and support the country’s expanding energy demands.
Sources:
https://business.inquirer.net/504115/erc-forms-panel-to-probe-tripping-line-of-ngcps-submarine-cable
https://context.ph/2025/01/30/erc-approved-twg-to-investigate-cebu-power-line-incident/
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?id=100044303355357&story_fbid=1123914252428676 https://bilyonaryo.com/2025/01/30/erc-orders-probe-into-2023-cebu-mandaue-transmission-line-damage/power/