NGCP implements yearly replacement of damaged poles

By Peter A. Balocnit

Friday 1st of June 2012

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, June 1 (PIA) - - To ensure continuing power, replacement of broken and rotten 69kV poles is on-going in North Luzon, as the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) announced emergency shutdown is caused by this yearly activity.

Lilibeth Gaydowen, NGCP North Luzon Regional Communication and Public Affairs Officer, said the yearly replacement of damaged poles will prevent brown outs. She explained the cause of power interruption affecting most provinces of Northern Luzon is because of the on-going replacement of damaged 69kV poles.

On May 30, an emergency power shutdown of some of its transmission facilities affected Cagayan Electric Cooperative II and portions of Cagayan Electric Cooperative I particularly the province of Cagayan and five municipalities of lower Apayao to replace some wood pole structures along Tuguegarao-Magapit-Camalanuigan-Sta. Ana 69 kV transmission lines.

She said power interruption in the entire coverage area of Kalinga-Apayao Electric Cooperative on May 31 was cancelled but to be scheduled on a later date to replace selected wood pole structures along Tuguegarao-Tabuk 69 kV transmission lines.

Aside from the replacement of wood poles, the NGCP operations and maintenance group is also doing right-of-way clearing of transmission lines.

Meanwhile, the provisions of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or Republic Act 9136 requires distribution utilities to maintain 69kV transmission lines and those above 69kV will be left for NGCP to maintain. However, Gaydowen said no electric cooperative so far had signified to shoulder the mandate until the deadline set by the Epira law. (PAB/PIA-CAR/Kalinga)