• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Power has started the implementation of its comprehensive 5-year development plan for their facilities in central Negros
The plan involves both rehabilitating the aging infrastructure acquired from Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) and modernizing the electrical distribution system to meet current and future demands, according to the distribution facility.
Negros Power allocated a budget of P2.5 billion pesos for the project.
The investment, according to Negros Power, is crucial, noting that CENECO’s lack of financial capital led to unreliable and inefficient electricity service.
It further noted that the aging substations, lines, poles, transformers, and lack of new equipment resulted in frequent unscheduled power interruptions, increased system losses, and a decline in electricity quality.
As it is now stepping in to address these long-standing issues, Negros Power said it is effectively picking up where CENECO left off.
Without this investment, we would be facing a future of worsening power outages, unable to keep pace with the growing demand fueled by ongoing development, it added.
Stressing that the transformation does not come without its challenges, Negros Power said that the physical infrastructure, complex systems, and the nature of electricity itself mean that any work comes with inherent risks and inconveniences, adding that a key part of the process involves temporary power outages during repairs and upgrades.
Negros Power also announced that it started with the most critical components, such as the 69kv sub-transmission lines connecting to the NGCP, substations, and feeder lines, which it added are the backbone of the system, and any failure can lead to widespread and prolonged outages.
The distribution facility also said that the 5-year timeline allows them for a phased and strategic approach, minimizing inconvenience to consumers.
While we may experience temporary power interruptions, Negros Power stressed that it is committed to providing advance schedules, allowing them to plan and adjust accordingly.
It also said that its consumers should trust Negros Power to do the necessary work.
Let’s embrace the temporary inconveniences, knowing that the end result will be a reliable and efficient power supply, paving the way for a brighter future for all of us, it concluded.*