DOE wants to fix transmission plan 'mismatch'

The Department of Energy (DOE) will be locking horns with system operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to resolve the “mismatch” in the country’s transmission development game plan, to ensure that the grid actually delivers where the capacities are needed.

- MYRNA M. VELASCO

Referencing the 10,260-megawatt (MW) excess capacity that NGCP stipulated in its information advertisements, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla indicated that, “We have noted it, and we will come up with our comments on how best to address the mismatch between the timing of generation and transmission facilities being there.”

The Energy chief stressed that, “What we need is coordination of having the generation plants in place; and then the transmission lines are there, so they can be brought to where they are needed.”

Lotilla explained that even if there are transmission facilities that are built, if they are not strategically installed where the transport of plant capacities would be direly needed—or if they are not constructed and operated on time—then these investments would just end up as “stranded assets” and will result in foregone revenues for power investors. In turn, these could scare off future capital flow, and the country will also be rated as “risky territory” for energy investments.