NGCP readies for more RE development

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Oct. 8, 2016) - With the full implementation of the Republic Act 9513, otherwise known as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, the power grid operator, NGCP, undertakes a comprehensive program to ensure its capability to fully accommodate all incoming Renewable Energy (RE) sources into the grid.

Elizabeth Ladaga, Regional Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Officer, in the press release dated Sep. 30, 2016 disclosed that in 2016, RE capacity for the whole Philippines was pegged at 1,189.66 megawatts (MW) or 9.71% of the total installed capacity, with Luzon at 667.66MW, Visayas at 461MW, and Mindanao at 61MW, accounting for 6.86%, 24.37% and 4.04% respectively, of the installed generation capacity in each grid. The figures are expected to increase as the Department of Energy targets to reach 30% RE installed capacity in the generation mix.

To allow smooth access for RE plants to the grid, NGCP already established RE integration standards and proposed the Variable Renewable Energy content in the Philippine Grid Code, which was later on approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). The company also conducted System Impact Study (SIS) to assess the best possible configuration and grid entry points for RE projects.

“Because of the intermittent nature of some renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind, balancing the system’s supply and demand becomes challenging. We took the initiative to set integration standards to avoid compromising the integrity of the grid,” NGCP stated.

NGCP is also improving its forecast system for RE plants to anticipate possible changes in the plant’s power production that might negatively impact the grid.

“NGCP is supportive of the government’s policy of increasing RE installed capacity. Despite the challenges it brings to the management of the grid, NGCP sees this as a step closer towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources for the country,” declared the company.

NGCP also reiterated that a Grid Impact Study (GIS) is necessary to determine whether an RE plant will integrate smoothly into the current system, or if improvements or adjustments to grid is necessary. “It is critical that a GIS be conducted first so that RE developments are synchronized with our grid improvement projects. This will ensure that all RE capacities are fully-dispatched and utilized by end-consumers,” reminded NGCP.

NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets. The consortium, which holds the 25-year concession contract to operate the country's power transmission network, is comprised of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. led by Henry Sy, Jr., Calaca High Power Corporation led by Robert Coyiuto, Jr., and the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) as technical partner.

(By Jong Cadion with PR)