• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
In line with its five-year rehabilitation and development plans, Negros Power is establishing two additional power substations to support economic growth of Bacolod City and other local government units in its franchise area.
Engr. Joe-Mel Zaporteza, Negros Power vice president and Chief Operating Officer, disclosed in a press briefing on Thursday that the two power substations will be located at the Provincial Capitol and Megaworld areas, both in Bacolod City.
That will increase to 13 the number of substations in the Negros Power franchise area by mid-2027, according to Zaporteza.
The continuing upgrading of Negros Power system aims to meet the growing demand for electricity, ensuring that homes, businesses, and communities receive a more stable and dependable power supply in its franchise area.
Negros Power expects to finish the two projects within six to eight months.
In the past 19 months of Negros Power operations, since 2024, Zaporteza said that an estimated P1.3 billion has been spent by the distribution utility in the rehabilitation and upgrading of its facilities.
Aside from the two power substations that have a budget of P250 million, he also reported that P130 million has been allocated for the construction of 69kV transmission lines, a major step toward improving the reliability and stability of the electricity supply.
With stronger and more modern infrastructure, Negros Power expects the efficient flow of electricity across the grid, helping reduce outages and voltage fluctuations.
Because of the network rehabilitation in 2025, Zaporteza said that the Negros Power major matrix in terms of power performance, specifically the System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI), improved by 38 percent.
The System Average Interruption Duration Index, which measures the length of power system interruption, improved by 67 percent. In short, the power interruptions experienced by consumers have shortened, he added.
Zaporteza also reported the completion of the underground cable system along Lacson Street in Bacolod City in the next few months, with the two-month delay on target to finish, he attributed to the unfavorable weather conditions, especially during Typhoon Tino in November last year.
Asked on percentage completion of their 5-year development plans, they are now at 39 percent, he further said.
In five years, Negros Power will have enhanced reliability, upgraded systems, improved safety, implemented maintenance, and increased efficiency, and improved substation performance, he claimed.*
