THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has reverted to using an old transformer at the sub-station in Pondol, Amlan, Negros Oriental after a newly installed unit was found to have a leak.

Marcos Quiamco of NGCP said the leak was discovered Saturday, at the time the entire Visayas region had a total power blackout due to a trip in the Malitbog-Tabangon sub-station in Leyte.

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While most areas in the Visayas had power restored late Saturday, Dumaguete City and several parts of Negros Oriental serviced by the Pondol, Amlan sub-station suffered many more hours of power interruption until the next day.

Quiamco said that around 10:40 a.m. Saturday, the NGCP had energized its Pondol sub-station and by 12:15 p.m., a leakage in the transformer’s bushing was discovered.

Gradual shutdown of feeders of the two electric cooperatives in Negros Oriental -- Noreco I and Noreco II -- started at 1:28 p.m. but the leak got worse and by 2:38 p.m., NGCP had to enforce a total shutdown, Quiamco said.

By Sunday, NGCP had to revert to using an old MVA transformer instead, and power was restored shortly before noontime.

Quiamco said they are now contacting Xian Electric, the contractor for the newly installed transformer, which leaked, for the repair of the leaking unit, which is still under warranty. (PNA)