The long-awaited Cebu-Negros-Panay interconnection line, which President Marcos called a milestone in the country’s pursuit of resilient and reliable power infrastructure, finally came online this year. Here’s all you need to know about this groundbreaking yet long-overdue project.
What is the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) project?
Also called the Cebu-Negros-Panay Backbone Project, the CNP is a multi-island power interconnection project which uses a 230 kV high-voltage transmission line.
Spanning 238 kilometers, the CNP backbone project was built to enable the transmission of excess power from Panay and Negros towards the rest of Visayas. It complements the existing Amlan-Samboan submarine cable which currently connects Cebu and Negros islands.
The high voltage transmission line promises more reliable transmission, better load balancing, minimized transmission loss, and more flexibility to accommodate power generation from renewable sources.
The CNP is a project of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).
Three stages
The CNP backbone project was completed in three stages.
Stage 1 (CNP 1) involved adding a 230 kV transmission line from Bacolod to E.B Magalona via submarine cable. According to the NGCP, this “increases the transfer capacity of the existing corridor.”
Stage 2 (CNP 2) involved the construction of 230 kV facilities in the existing Cebu 138 kV Substation.
Stage 3 (CNP 3) connected Negros and Cebu via overhead lines from Bacolod City to San Carlos City and a submarine cable to Toledo City, Cebu
Installed infrastructure
To better appreciate the magnitude of the project, here’s a list of the installed infrastructure:
- 670 transmission towers spanning 442 circuit kilometers of overhead lines
- 98.9 circuit kilometers of submarine cables
- 10 new substations
- Expansion of 2 existing major substations
The project also includes the Negros-Panay Interconnection Project Line 2 (NPIP L2). The total cost of the CNP backbone project was 67.98 Billion pesos.
Project Delays
The project was supposed to be completed in December 2020 but was delayed multiple times. The NGCP cited constraints due to quarantine regulations and safety protocols during the Covid 19 pandemic, followed by disruptions in the supply chain and issues in right of way (ROW) when the pandemic lockdown was lifted.
The project suffered another major delay in 2023 when NGCP faced a temporary restraining order (TRO) filed by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) at the Supreme Court.
Had the project been completed on time, it could have prevented the 12-hour power outages that crippled Panay, Guimaras, and Negros according to the DOE.
Resilient and reliable power
The interconnection line strengthens and stabilizes the national grid and resolves power supply challenges brought on by a growing population and economic development. It is expected to safeguard against a repeat of the Panay Island blackout.
At an energy event in Iloilo recently, Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said, “The important thing about the completion of the CNP backbone at 230 kV is that there are now two possible routes to go to [secluded] islands. We used to have only one connection.”
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said, “Gin eksplekar sa atun sang NGCP nga kung may mag trip gani kag temporarily may stoppage ang isa ka planta […] pwede mo ma rationalize ang demand. Buhinan mo danay ang demand sa grid para nga magbalanse ka.”
The CNP backbone project ensures backup power reserves in case of stoppages or power trips.
Availability and access
Negros island is called the “renewable energy capital” of the Philippines. It is renowned for its renewable energy capacity and abundant sources of renewable energy. In his speech during the Ceremonial Energization of the CNP Backbone Project Stage 3, President Marcos said, “The northern part of Negros Island has close to 500 Megawatts that’s stranded. Hindi nagagamit. So this power, these (CNP) transmission lines will make that available to wherever else it is needed.”
Accommodating new power plants
The improved transmission line accommodates the integration of new power plants, especially those using renewable energy. Investors are encouraged to build power generation facilities to meet the nation’s long-term power demands.
“I encourage private generators to invest in the Negros and Panay sub-grids so that the region can meet its energy demands and ensure self-sufficiency in the long run,” President Marcos said.
Increased power generation is also seen as a necessary development by the transmission provider.
“Transmission and power generation go hand in hand,” the NGCP said. “Sufficient power generation development supported by reliable transmission is the formula for optimized energy development. This will support the country’s push towards economic recovery..We have long advocated for a holistic approach to energy industry development. Generation and transmission must be developed together. One cannot be made to bear the whole burden of keeping the industry stable.”
Who is the NGCP?
The NGCP is a fully private corporation responsible for operating, developing, and maintaining the country’s power grids. It is the country’s only transmission service provider. According to the Presidential Communications Office, the NGCP is “responsible for ensuring reliable and efficient electric power from generation to distribution utilities and grid connected loads.”
Sources:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220050