Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) is now in full swing in rolling out its 5-year rehabilitation and modernization plan. This initiative targets the improvement of power facilities the company recently acquired from the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO).
Green Light from Energy Regulatory Commission
This step follows the Energy Regulatory Commission’s provisional authorization of Negros Power’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). With this approval, Negros Power is fully authorized to manage, operate, and modernize the electric power distribution network in Central Negros.
Weekend Rehabilitation Efforts Target Key Substations
Negros Power began rehabilitation over the weekend, focusing on the Reclamation and Asdez-Gonzaga substations in Bacolod City. These substations are essential but in critical condition due to age and heavy usage. Extensive upgrades and maintenance are underway to enhance their reliability and prevent potential disruptions.
Negros Power conducted thorough degassing of its power transformers and corrected hotspots in their accessories. These measures aim to prevent potential failures, like the recent issue at the Alijis Substation in August.
Aging Transformers: A Priority for Rehabilitation
According to Mr. Roel Castro, President and CEO of Negros Power, seven of the twelve transformers in the franchise area have exceeded the recommended 25-year operational lifespan. Immediate rehabilitation is essential to prevent further aging-related malfunctions.
“We cannot waste more time. The aging transformers are showing signs of deterioration, like oil leakage, which can lead to major failures, as we saw with the Alijis substation incident on August 21,” Castro stated.
Scheduled Interruptions for Rehabilitation: A Call for Understanding
Castro acknowledged that these rehabilitation measures will require scheduled power interruptions of 10 to 12 hours. He appealed for consumers’ patience, emphasizing that these short-term inconveniences will help prevent more severe and prolonged outages in the future.
“We need your understanding and cooperation. While we empathize with the inconvenience, these measures are crucial to ensuring long-term reliability and preventing unscheduled, wider blackouts that impact everyone,” he explained.
Reliable Service for Central Negros
Negros Power is taking a proactive approach to upgrading its infrastructure. This effort strengthens its commitment to providing reliable and efficient power distribution in Central Negros. Through careful planning and consumer cooperation, the company aims to deliver a resilient electricity network for all its customers.
