MORE locators are expected to invest in the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) this year after the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the country’s operator of its transmission highway, completed a crucial transmission line and substation project in the area.
In a statement, the company said it finished the final configuration of the 230 kiloVolts transmission line system for the Concepcion-Clark Line No.1 last month which is an important transmission system.
Prior to the completion of the Line 1, NGCP energized the 230 kiloVolts Concepcion-Clark Tranmission Line No.2 last November 2009 to provide power to CSEZ locator, Texas Instruments.
Likewise, Transformer Nos. 1 and 2 of Clark Substation were also successfully energized.
“The Concepcion-Clark Substation Project aims to intensify the delivery of quality and reliable power in the Clark Special Ecozone,” NGCP said.
The project was endorsed by the Office of the President in support of efforts to transform CSEZ into a competitive international service and logistics center in the South Pacific Region.
Clark Special Ecozone will host an international airport and a proposed technopark, which will both require reliable electricity for their operations.
“NGCP’s high-voltage power transmission project is expected to provide continuous and reliable power supply to the locators and customers in the ecozone thereby spurring the economic and industrial development of the area,” the company added.
The project includes the furnishing, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of 230-kiloVolt substation equipment and its associated control, protection and communication equipment for NGCP’s Concepcion Substation in Tarlac and Clark Substation in Pampanga.
Last December 12, 2007 the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corp. awarded to the NGCP consortium the 25 years concession contract to manage and operate the country’s transmission grid.
On January 14, 2009, PSALM formally turned over the TransCo concession to NGCP composed of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp., Calaca High Power Corp., and State Grid Corp. of China.
The NGCP remitted US$ 987.5 million to PSALM as its upfront payment for the operation of the transmission system. The amount comprises 25 percent of the US$ 3.95-billion purchase price to acquire the concession contract. (MSN/Sunnex)