Completed in mid-2024, the 230-kilovolt Cebu-Bohol Interconnection Project (CBIP) is now fully operational, easing the strain on Bohol’s power supply by providing a more stable and direct link to the Visayas grid. The project also aims to reduce reliance on the aging Leyte-Bohol submarine cable, indirectly relieving pressure on the wider Luzon grid.
With the CBIP in place, the Department of Energy (DOE) states that Bohol can tap into more affordable power sources, helping to lessen the financial burden on consumers who have long been hit by high electricity costs. For years, Tagbilaran residents endured steep rates and recurring outages due to dependence on diesel-powered backups.
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Grid reliability
The project’s benefits are already being felt on the ground, according to Bohol I Electric (BOHECO I) Corporate Planning and ICT Department Manager Engineer Algerico L. Siga. He noted that the new Cebu-Bohol link has alleviated the load on the once sole transmission route from Leyte, resulting in a marked improvement in Bohol’s overall energy reliability.
Siga shared that Bohol’s power needs had long outpaced what the Leyte-Bohol link could supply, forcing the use of 30 costly diesel generators to bridge the gap. This heavy reliance on diesel pushed residential rates as high as ₱14 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Since the completion of the Cebu-Bohol link, rates have steadily declined, dropping to ₱11 in 2024 and further to ₱10 this year.
Additionally, Siga underscored that high line rental fees, charged for using transmission infrastructure, had been a key driver of costly power in Bohol. Now, with the Cebu-Bohol link operational, the island meets the N-1 reliability standard, ensuring backup in case of line failure. He added that the project’s completion has also boosted investor confidence in the province.
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Other transmission projects
In July 2024, a major milestone in the Cebu-Bohol transmission link was reached with the energization of the 230-kV Dumanjug-Corella Line 1 and the activation of the Dumanjug 70 MVAR component. This development marked a key step toward completing the full transmission loop between the islands.
With a load transfer capacity of up to 600 megawatts (MW), the interconnected system now allows Bohol to draw power directly from generation plants in Cebu. This upgrade not only boosts supply reliability but also supports the province’s rising energy demand, driven by a growing influx of tourists drawn to its beaches and dive spots.
The Cebu-Bohol link is the latest in a series of major transmission upgrades, following the rollout of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) in early 2024 and the Cebu-Negros-Panay Backbone in April 2024. The ₱52-billion MVIP now channels excess power into the Visayas and Luzon grids.
Spanning 184 kilometers (km), including a 92-km undersea HVDC line between Santander, Cebu, and Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte, the project includes converter stations and expanded substation infrastructure to stabilize power flow.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) remains optimistic about completing several key transmission projects, despite ongoing challenges with right-of-way access and permitting. Backed by inter-agency support, upcoming developments include the Marilao Extra High Voltage Substation, Tacurong-Kalamansig 69 kV Line, and the Ambuklao-Binga–San Manuel 230-kV Line.
Also in the pipeline are the Lapu-Lapu 230-kV Substation, Cebu–Lapu-Lapu 230-kV Line, Tuy 500/230 kV Project Stage 1, Tuguegarao–Lal-lo (Magapit) 230-kV Line, Nabas–Caticlan–Boracay 138-kV Line, and the Western Luzon 500-kV Backbone Stage 2, along with various system upgrades aimed at improving power delivery across the grid.
Fast-tracking projects
The government has been urging NGCP to fast-track the expansion and upgrade of the country’s transmission network, viewing it as key to attracting new power investments and ensuring long-term energy stability. With the rapid growth of solar and wind projects, reinforcing the grid has become even more critical.
The Cebu-Bohol and Mindanao-Visayas interconnections anchor the government’s “One Grid, One Nation” vision—an integrated power system designed to ensure no region is left isolated.
Sources:
https://pia.gov.ph/power-supply-in-bohol-improves-with-cebu-link-project
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/ngcp-completes-major-grid-projects