TransCo signs deal to build Catanduanes island interconnector

Philippine state-led National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) and the First Catanduanes Electric Cooperatives (FICELCO) have signed an agreement to build a subsea interconnector linking Camarines Sur to Catanduanes island in the Philippines.

The agreement entails the construction and installation of 69kV sub-transmission submarine electric cable lines from Presentacion/Caramoan in Camarines Sur, to Codon in Catanduanes.

Under the agreement, TransCo will conduct the feasibility study, including hydrographic analysis for the engineering design of the Catanduanes interconnection to Luzon grid.

It will also develop the interconnection through engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) scheme.

In addition, TransCo will establish an Island Control Center, including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and telecommunications system for system operation, while also enhancing the technical capability of FICELCO in developing, operating, and maintaining the 69-kV transmission system.

The national transmission operator will initially operate and maintain the 69-kV sub-transmission interconnection and turn over these duties to FICELCO upon development of its technical capabilities.

TransCo said it will perform all functions of System Operator (SO) in optimal dispatching of power plants to achieve least-cost generation of electricity and real-time control of the power grid to maintain a stable, secure, reliable, and efficient power system.

Melvin Matibag, president and CEO of TransCo, said: “It is our privilege to become instrumental in empowering and stabilizing power in our small islands. We are one with the Energy Family in addressing the inadequate, unreliable, and costly power supply and delivery system.

“By interconnecting our small islands to the main grid and performing independent [System Operator], disputes among the service providers and controversies related to procurement of power supply shall be put to an end”.

Philippine Department of Energy’s (DoE’s) secretary Alfonso Cusi emphasized that the memorandum of agreement signing is vital in providing a stand-alone system to far-flung areas which are not yet connected to the main grid.

“DoE makes sure that the national policies are properly implemented and executed. As mentioned by President Duterte, we must finish our projects within this administration”, Cusi said.