Senate probe sought on delays in NGCP projects����

A SENATOR has filed a resolution seeking to investigate the delayed projects of transmission operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).��

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said on Sunday that only 37.5% or six out of 16 power transmission projects considered to be “Energy Projects of National Significance” have been completed.����

“When we talk about attracting investments into the country, the power supply is a fundamental consideration. How can we attract investors if we don’t have adequate supply and if it’s too costly?” Mr. Gatchalian said in a statement.����

He also said in Senate Resolution No. 616 that the delay has also led to the “congestion of the grid.”��

He cited among other projects the Hermosa-San Jose 500kV Transmission Line, which was supposed to be completed in December 2020 but was extended until July, and the Cebu-Negros-Panay 230 kV Backbone Stage 3 Project that was targeted for completion in Dec. 2020 but was moved to August 2023.����

“Although these projects are delayed, they are already part of the transmission charge being collected by the NGCP pursuant to its 2020 approved interim maximum annual revenue,” Mr. Gatchalian said.����

Congress has been studying proposals for the government to regain full ownership of the NGCP, citing the private firm’s inability to provide a stable power source to the public. It has also raised concerns on foreign ownership of the corporation, which poses a security threat to the country.��

“As the sole backbone for the transmission of electricity throughout the country, the NGCP is duty bound in ensuring that it is able to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities, and suppliers requiring transmission and ancillary services through transmission system,” Mr. Gatchalian said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz