DOE plans to test Mindanao-Visayas grid link in June

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 16) — The Department of Energy (DOE) plans to conduct in June the first testing and commissioning of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) — a grid link that will allow the transfer of Mindanao's surplus power supply to Visayas and Luzon.

“Kung masusunod 'yung schedule na binigay as a commitment ng system operator at transmission network provider, magkaroon tayo ng unang testing at commissioning ng connection ng Mindanao at Visayas sa buwan ng Hunyo,” DOE Asec. Mario Marasigan said during the Laging Handa briefing on Thursday.

[Translation: If we follow the schedule that the system operator and transmission network provider gave as a commitment, we will have our first connection testing and commissioning in Mindanao and Visayas in June.]

In 2017, the Energy Regulatory Commission authorized the National Grid Corporation (NGCP) of the Philippines to construct the Mindanao-Visayas grid link.

Using High-Voltage Direct Current cables, circuit-kilometer of submarine cables and circuit-kilometer of overhead wires, the MVIP will connect Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte to Santander, Cebu.

According to Marasigan, once the grid is completed, a better transmission system will flow from Luzon to Mindanao, and vice versa, especially when the Cebu-Negros-Panay Enhancement Project is also completed.

Under the NGCP, the Cebu-Negros-Panay grid link will operate in Tomonto, Silay, San Carlos, E.B. Magalona and San Enrique in Negros Occidental; Barotac Veijo and Dingle in Iloilo and Cebu

“Sobra ang supply ng kuryente sa Mindanao,” Marasigan explained. “Kung mabubuksan 'yung interconnection project, maipapasa yan sa Visayas o sa Luzon kung saan may kakulangan ng supply ng kuryente."

[Translation: There is surplus supply of electricity in Mindanao. Once the interconnection project is opened, the power supply can be transferred to Visayas and Luzon, where power supply is lacking.]

“At dahil dyan, maaari ito magresulta ng pagbaba ng presyo ng kuryente dahil dumadami ang supply natin,” Marasigan added.

[Translation: Because of that, it may result in the decline of electric prices since we have more supply.]