Power Watch Negros secretary-general Wennie Sancho supports the underground cable project as part of the gradual transition from overhead lines to underground cabling which shall improve power reliability and efficiency, a press release from Power Watch Negros said.
In line with the initial phase of its rehabilitation program, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Bacolod City Wednesday on this important development, spearheaded by the Negros Power.
In a research conducted by the Consumers Information Network (CIN) of ACCESS, it was established that underground cabling will enhance safety and aesthetics with a better resilience to natural disaster and economic benefits through reduced power losses. This is part of asset replacement by the Negros Power which is the essential gradual replacement of aging overhead lines with underground cable. This is a shift from traditional distribution infrastructure to a modern underground system.
The Philippines is progressing in underground cable but is lagging behind compared to other developed Asian countries. Underground cabling is already widespread in Japan with 90 percent implementation, 80 percent in South Korea and 75 percent in Singapore. We are catching up with 20 to 30 percent in the urban areas of Metro Manila and Cebu, with 10 percent in the rural areas. Indonesia is catching up with 15-25 percent implementation, Vietnam is about 20 percent while Thailand is 30 percent in terms of implementation, the press release claimed.
The endorsement of Power Watch Negros is grounded on the premise that it is urgent for the Philippines to catch up with other Asian countries in implementing underground cabling. Delaying this transition may increase power outages, brownouts and distribution losses due to over aging overhead lines. Delaying underground might hinder adoption of emerging technologies like smart grids and renewable energy. We shall be missing an opportunity.
Sancho believes that there is a need for a consumer education to raise the peoples’ awareness on the benefits of underground cabling. Power Watch Negros will lobby for a legislation among local LGU’s, and Congress promoting underground cabling. Power Watch Negros will adopt the motto, “Cabling for Power Reliability in Negros Island Region”(CPR-NIR) in order to contribute to the acceleration of the underground cabling projects, ensuring a safer, more reliable and environmentally friendly energy infrastructure.*
