Cebu-Bohol transmission line to start operating this year

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said on Thursday that the transmission line connecting Cebu and Bohol provinces would come online within this year.

In a briefing, NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said the agency was undertaking many projects, but one major development that was nearing completion was the Cebu-Bohol 230 kilovolt (kV) interconnection line.

“Within the year we can announce the full completion of the Cebu-Bohol [transmission line],” the official said.

In July, the NGCP already activated two portions of the power line: the Dumanjug-Corella 230 kV Line 1 and the Dumanjug 70 MVAR.

The Department of Energy earlier welcomed the energization of those parts, especially as Bohol has seen an increase in electricity demand amid booming tourism activities.

Meanwhile, sought for the reaction of NGCP to the suspension of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chair Monalisa Dimalanta, Alabanza was optimistic that the government could find ways to ensure that the operations of the ERC would not be affected.

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“We have faith that the ERC will continue its business of regulation so that yung mga inaantay namin mga decision and resolution, mailabas pa rin sa tamang panahon (We have faith that the ERC will continue its business of regulation so that the decisions and resolutions we are waiting for, will still be released at the right time,)” she said.

The Palace has yet to appoint an officer in charge following the suspension, which stemmed from a consumer group’s complaint about alleged failure to recalculate Manila Electric Co.’s rates.

“This case is one of first impression—it may look like a simple case of delayed action but there is more to it than that. While I’m out of ERC, consumers and energy stakeholders should remain vigilant and put a close watch on the decisions, actions of the Commission,” Dimalanta told Inquirer in a message.