• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Bacolod-Silay subtransmission line, inherited by the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) from the National Transmission Corporation in 1980, which has now rendered 44 years of service, is up replacement, disclosed Engr. Leomel Tambanillo, Negros Power spokesperson.
Tambanillo said the subtransmission line is extremely outdated, and its porcelain insulators, which are often the cause of widespread unscheduled power interruptions, need to be replaced.
Since Negros Power started operations in August, he said they have noted at least ten incidents of insulator failures, due to the aging and substandard quality of these components.
Tambanillo added that the Bacolod-Silay 69kV subtransmission line passes through sugarcane fields, making response and repair efforts challenging.
The line spans 30 kilometers and carries electricity from the NGCP (National Grid Corporation of the Philippines) to three substations of Negros Power: Talisay, Panaogao, and Lopez Substations.
As an immediate solution, Negros Power plans to gradually replace the old and substandard porcelain insulators with polymer insulators, which are stronger, Tambanillo said.*
