The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is accelerating infrastructure development and long-term planning initiatives to meet the increasing electricity demand in Central Luzon, particularly in Pampanga and surrounding provinces.
This commitment was emphasized during a recent Power 101 Seminar conducted by NGCP for regional media, aimed at enhancing public understanding of the country’s power transmission system and providing updates on key energy projects in Northern and Central Luzon, according to a report by iOrbit News.
Engr. Alvin Estaliao, Senior Manager of NGCP’s Northern Luzon Operations and Maintenance District 6, led technical discussions and highlighted NGCP’s core mandate as the country’s sole transmission service provider. Estaliao clarified that NGCP transmits high-voltage electricity from generation plants to distribution utilities, cooperatives, and industrial users but does not generate or distribute electricity.
He also provided insights into the structural reforms introduced by Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), which unbundled the Philippine power sector into generation, transmission, distribution, and supply functions.
As of end-2024, NGCP operates 23,109.94 circuit-kilometers of transmission lines and manages 58,653.40 megavolt-amperes (MVA) of substation capacity nationwide. Since assuming operational control in 2009, NGCP has invested close to PHP 395 billion in transmission infrastructure nationwide.
One of NGCP’s flagship initiatives in Central Luzon is the construction of the San Simon 230-kilovolt (kV) Substation, designed to decongest the overloaded Mexico Substation and strengthen connectivity with the Bataan generation hub. The project is expected to significantly improve grid stability and transmission capacity in the region.
During the seminar’s open forum, NGCP spokesperson Atty. Cynthia P. Alabanza underscored the necessity of inter-agency collaboration and alignment between infrastructure projects and national energy policy.
“It really needs a multi-sectoral, multi-government agency approach. It can’t just be NGCP—not just the generators, not just the distributors. Everyone must do their part,” said Alabanza.
She stressed the importance of synchronizing the Transmission Development Plan (TDP) with the government’s overarching Power Development Plan (PDP) to prevent inefficiencies and bottlenecks in the sector.
“You can’t just build the roads without knowing what you’re transporting,” Alabanza added. “If we all sing in different tones, the customers will hear the dissonance.”
Alabanza also confirmed that stakeholder consultations for the 2025–2050 TDP concluded in May 2024. The updated roadmap will incorporate new developments in the energy landscape, including offshore wind expansion and emerging technologies.
NGCP reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a stable, reliable, and future-ready transmission network through continued infrastructure upgrades and deeper engagement with both public and private sector stakeholders.
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