By Alena Mae S. Flores

The Energy Regulatory Commission approved two transmission line projects of National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (formerly National Transmission Corp.) worth over P700 million to address increased power demand in Samar island and Antique province.

National Grid sought approval on the construction of the Sta. Rita-Quinapundan 69-kilovolt transmission project estimated to cost P449.94 million. The project aims to prevent overloading of Wright substation, reduce line loss and improve reliability of power supply in Samar.

The Sta. Rita-Quinapundan project, scheduled for completion next year, will loop with the existing Wright-Taft-Borongan-Quinapundan 69-kV line that supplies power to the eastern part of Samar.

The energy regulator also approved National Grid?s Sibalom-Culasi kV transmission project worth P260.895 million in Panay. The project aims to loop the existing 69-kV line from Panitan to Culasi load-end Substation line and the line from Sta. Barbara to Sibalom load-end substation ?to minimize outages, enhance system reliable and address the low-voltage problem in the area.?

ERC said the two projects would not be automatically included in the maximum allowable revenue of National Grid for the current regulatory period.

TransCo president Arthur Aguilar, meanwhile, said the sale of the government?s sub-transmission assets had been delayed due to the poor financial condition of the electric cooperatives.

TransCo continues to oversee and monitor the country?s transmission assets despite National Grid?s takeover.