The Negros Power 69 kV grid upgrade is a major step to meet rising electricity demand in Bacolod and nearby areas. During a press conference on March 12, Negros Power’s new Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Engr. Joe-Mel Zaporteza disclosed that these projects are part of a five-year rehabilitation plan now in its second year.
After 19 months of operations, Negros Power saw steady growth in consumption. In fact, energy demand increased by about 7% annually. Because of this, the existing network began to reach its limits.
Previously, the company focused on improving distribution lines. As a result, interruption frequency improved by 38%, while outage duration dropped by 67%. However, this progress also led to higher load demand. As Zaporteza explained:
“We came to a point that we need to upgrade what we call the 69 kV lines and to develop new substations to support the growth.”
Why the Negros Power 69 kV Grid Upgrade Matters
The Negros Power 69 kV grid upgrade focuses on the sub-transmission lines that connect the national grid to local substations. These lines carry 69,000 volts of electricity. They serve as the main bridge between supply and distribution.
Currently, there are six sub-transmission lines. However, parts of these lines are already nearing capacity. Without intervention, substations could reach 90% to 100% loading within five years. Ideally, systems should operate at around 70% capacity for safety and flexibility.
Because of this, Negros Power is increasing capacity. For example, the Bacolod-Bata line will expand from 126 MVA to 220 MVA. This upgrade ensures that power can flow efficiently to consumers. As highlighted during the briefing:
“If we have constraints or bottlenecks, we cannot deliver energy from this point up to the end user.”
Areas That Benefit Most from the Negros Power 69 kV Grid Upgrade
Several areas in Bacolod will see the biggest improvements.
First, the Capitol and Ayala area will benefit from a new substation. This reduces dependence on older substations. As a result, reliability improves and future growth becomes possible.
Next, the Megaworld and Upper East area will gain dedicated capacity. This supports large-scale developments with residential, commercial, and industrial demand.
Meanwhile, Bata and northern Bacolod will benefit from the upgraded backbone line. Since this line previously acted as a bottleneck, the upgrade improves overall system stability.
In addition, the Reclamation and SM area will experience reduced congestion. Load will be redistributed, which eases pressure on existing substations.
Finally, central areas like Gonzaga, Burgos, Alijis, and Sum-ag will see improved balance. Their substations will operate closer to optimal levels.
What the Upgrade Includes
The project includes four major components. First, a new 2.4 km line from Gonzaga to Capitol will be built using 90-foot poles. Second, a 0.7 km line will connect Gonzaga to Megaworld. Third, a 1.6 km line will link the Megaworld substation.
Finally, the main backbone will be rehabilitated. This is the key upgrade that increases capacity to 220 MVA.
The entire project will take about 6 to 8 months. During this time, scheduled interruptions may occur. However, switching operations will minimize the impact. As explained during the briefing:
“Rather than interrupting the whole customer for 12 hours, we do switching so the interruption is shorter and minimized.”
A Step Toward Long-Term Growth
Overall, the Negros Power 69 kV grid upgrade supports both reliability and economic growth. It removes bottlenecks, improves flexibility, and prepares the city for future expansion.
Zaporteza also emphasized the long-term vision behind the project:
“The most expensive power is no power.”
With new substations and stronger lines, Bacolod’s power system becomes more resilient.
0
20
20