While the Alijis Substation Power Transformer awaits its replacement which will be completed in about 2 weeks as of this writing, the stress and losses of this massive power interruption can no longer be quantified. Thankfully, Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC or Negros Power) has an already established sister company in Iloilo City — MORE Power. To help Bacolod City residents, the MORE Power Mobile Substation was sent here to augment the load in affected areas. Read more about it.
Read: Negros Power Gets Help from MORE Power
The MORE Power Mobile Substation is One of the Laudable Electrical Equipment They Have in Iloilo
We have earlier reported that Bacolod City is experiencing a massive brownout that is expected to last for two (2) weeks because the Alijis substation power transformer broke down and is already irreplaceable. The 13-year-old transformer is leaking so much fuel that a new unit needs to be acquired to replace the old system. It was just very unfortunate that it broke down BEFORE Negros Power’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) was awarded. This last piece of document is necessary for Negros Power’s formal takeover of CENECO, our current Distribution utility (DU).
To help Bacolod City residents, MORE Power is sending its 10 MegaVolt Amperes (10MVA) Mobile substation from Iloilo City to help augment the load in affected areas.
The MORE Power mobile substation arrived in Bacolod City today, August 24. It is expected to start supplying the Alijis feeders with power by Tuesday.
Repair and Developments
At present, Negros Power is working on the new 18MVA power transformer to replace the worn-out old unit at the Alijis substation. To energize the affected areas for several hours a day, engineers have deemed it necessary to tap into the load of nearby substations through feeder tie-ups.
Moreover, Negros Power has provided a large-capacity cable spanning 6 kilometers to connect Murcia Feeder 1 and Alijis Feeder 3. It is expected to energize AF3 areas by tonight.
The Problem Came Before the Action Plan
It was earlier reported that Negros Power has prepared a 5-year rehabilitation and modernization plan for Central Negros when they take over. This investment is expected to exceed P2 billion.
They are gearing up for implementation by the next month, as they await their CPCN. However, the Alijis Feeder gave way already, so Negros Power had to seek the help of its sister company. Seven (7) feeders are connected to the Alijis substation, requiring 32 Megawatts. When it broke down, over 40,000 registered consumers were affected.
Negros Power Spokesman Jonathan Cabrera said that unfortunately, the transformer broke down before its scheduled rehabilitation next month. He emphasized that the permanent solution to electrical problems like the current crisis is the implementation of Negros Power’s 5-year rehabilitation and modernization plan.