Power utility substations undergo facelift

Sunday, January 22, 2012

TO IMPROVE public safety, the Visayan Electric Co. Inc. (Veco) initiated the renovation of its substations’ façade.

The facilities now look safer in their modern design.

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“The highly-elevated concrete fences eliminate the notion that high voltage is dangerous and that the substations could explode anytime. Our substations can now be seen safer when you pass their facades,” said Sunday Palabrica, Veco substation and electrical equipment department manager.

With improved security, the incidence of theft has also been eliminated.

“Once you’re inside, you’ll have a hard time getting out,” Palabrica added.

The aesthetics contribute to efficiency. With the installation of high and durable concrete fences, the power utility is getting rid of unwanted power interruptions due to external sabotage and foreign objects that may hit the substation equipment during typhoons.

Residents living near substations used to fear them. The chicken wire fences gave the substations a scary look with a of large bare coils of electricity, towers of electric circuits and high-voltage wires.