Bacolod City recently experienced a serious power crisis that inconvenienced both homes and businesses. Fortunately, the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between CENECO and Negros Power stepped in just when it was needed most. This situation proved not only how necessary the JVA was—it also demonstrated how quickly and effectively Negros Power could respond. Here’s why the JVA and Negros Power’s takeover came at the perfect time for Bacolod.
The Need for the JVA: A Power Crisis Unfolds
Last year, CENECO and Negros Power identified several of Bacolod’s power facilities as “ticking time bombs”. These aging systems were at risk of causing major outages if not addressed. Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario came true when a 13-year-old Power Transformer at the Alijis Substation “exploded” or crashed, leaving thousands without electricity.
This situation is proof that CENECO really needed help. A netizen posted this question, “maano na lang ayhan kita subong kun wala ang Negros Power wala pa nakasulod sa CENECO?” (What would have happened if Negros Power had not taken over from CENECO?)
The 50-year-old electric coop was stretched too thin to manage the necessary upgrades and maintenance alone. The JVA wasn’t just a good idea—it was essential for managing the power crisis and keeping the city powered.
Read: A Prevalent Cause of Power Interruptions: Unmanaged Vegetation
How Negros Power Stepped Up
When the transformer failed, Negros Power sprang into action quickly:
- Quick Fixes: They promptly connected the affected feeders to nearby ones, helping restore power despite the damage.
- Innovative Solutions: New, high-capacity cables were installed to link Murcia Feeder 1 with Alijis Feeder 3, improving power flow.
- Mobile Power: A 10MVA mobile substation from their sister company, MORE Power, in Iloilo, was brought in just in time to help.
Alongside these emergency fixes, Negros Power started assembling and installing a new 18MVA Power Transformer, expected to be operational in one to two weeks. Their swift and effective response proved they were more than up to the task.
Why the Takeover Was Perfect Timing
Negros Power’s takeover came at just the right moment. Without their intervention, Bacolod could have faced prolonged outages and even worse infrastructure failures. The JVA enabled Negros Power to provide immediate support and lay out a long-term plan.
Their 5-year Rehabilitation and Modernization project, valued at 2 billion pesos, is set to address underlying issues and prevent future crises. This plan is crucial for upgrading Bacolod’s power infrastructure and ensuring it can handle future challenges.
The Positive Impact of the JVA
The recent power crisis clearly demonstrated why the JVA between CENECO and Negros Power was so important. It highlighted CENECO’s need for support and confirmed that Negros Power was the right partner. Their effective response has reassured Bacolod residents of a more stable power future.
As the rehabilitation and modernization efforts move forward, Bacolod can look forward to a more reliable power supply. Thanks to the JVA and Negros Power’s timely takeover, the city is on track for a brighter, more dependable future.
The Findings: Substation Vulnerabilities Exposed
A thorough examination of Bacolod’s power infrastructure revealed several alarming issues that underscored the need for immediate intervention:
- Lack of N-1 Substation Reliability: The absence of an alternate 69kV line source for substations meant that any fault on the 69kV line would result in a complete shutdown of several substations, leaving large areas without power.
- Deactivated Auto-Reclosure on Feeder Reclosers: This made interruption restoration significantly longer, exacerbating the impact of power outages.
- Non-Functional SCADA: The lack of a functional Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system at the substation level and control center hampered real-time monitoring and control, leading to delayed responses to faults.
- Environmental and Safety Concerns: Issues such as the absence of oil pits, leaking power transformers, poor electrical clearance, and the presence of vegetation inside substations posed significant risks to both safety and power reliability.
- Inadequate Maintenance and Protection: Problems like temporary control houses placed under live 13.2kV structures, lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for substation tenders, and poorly maintained station batteries increased the likelihood of accidents and equipment failures.
These findings painted a dire picture of Bacolod’s power infrastructure, which was on the brink of collapse. The situation called for immediate and decisive action, something that Negros Power was prepared to deliver, thanks to the JVA.
Outage Management Challenges: CENECO’s Distribution Facilities
CENECO’s distribution facilities faced additional challenges that complicated outage management:
- Vegetation Management: Overgrown vegetation near power lines and substations increased the risk of outages and made maintenance more difficult.
- Animal Intrusion: Animals entering substations and feeder circuits posed risks to equipment and power reliability.
- Protection Coordination: Inadequate coordination in protection systems led to slower fault isolation and restoration.
- Extended Feeder Circuit Length: Long feeder circuits stretched across multiple areas, making them more susceptible to faults and harder to manage.
- Cross-Country Feeder Lines: Feeder lines running across varied terrains complicated maintenance and repair efforts.
