P5.27-B Aklan transmission project nearly complete

THE P5.27-billion transmission project that will strengthen reliable power delivery for Aklan province is 93.16% complete, according to the Department of Energy (DoE).

The Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay Transmission Line Project (NCBTLP) being developed by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) serves one of the county’s “most important tourism and economic centers,” the DoE said in a statement on Thursday.

“Once fully completed, the NCBTLP will help address rising electricity demand, improve system reliability, encourage energy investors to develop renewable energy plants, and reinforce the grid against technical and environmental vulnerabilities that have long affected power stability in the area,” it said.

Once completed by August, the grid project is expected to benefit around 155,474 residential, 13,388 commercial, and 27 industrial customers.

The DoE, the Energy Regulatory Commission, the National Transmission Corp., and NGCP, conducted a site inspection of the project, covering key components, including the Boracay GIS Substation, major transmission lines, and underground cable systems linking Nabas, Caticlan, and Boracay Island.

“We are fast-tracking the completion of this critical project because reliable power is fundamental to economic growth, public service, and the continued development of Boracay and the rest of Aklan,” Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara said.

“Our inspection confirms that substantial progress has been made, and the Department remains fully committed to ensuring that this infrastructure is completed on schedule and built to the highest standards of safety, quality, and long-term reliability,” she added. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera