by Myrna Velasco August
16, 2016
Power utility giant
Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is seeking regulatory approval for emergency
installation of a power transformer to sustain power supply service to key
areas in Manila.
A power transformer at
the North Port substation in Tayuman had been proposed for immediate
replacement due to “exploded high side bushings,” causing the facility to trip
out.
And
while load transfer had been initially enforced, this was just considered as
band-aid remedy, and the permanent solution can only be achieved with the
installation of 83-megavolt ampere (MVA), 115 kilovolt-34.5kV three-phase power
transformer at the North Port substation.
The cost of the project
had been pegged at P54.762 million, including costs of transformer oil, taxes,
duties, brokerage, trucking services and installation.
If transformer
replacement is not expeditiously implemented, it was noted that the quality of
service to major and vital customers in Manila could be adversely affected.
These include the
University of Sto Tomas, Chinese General Hospital, Department of Public Works
and Highways, Asian Terminals Inc., Asia Brewery Inc., Philippine Ports
Authority, Philippine National Railways and the City Government of Manila.
“Considering the
critical effect of shifting the load of the power transformer to the adjacent
North Port Bank No. 6, a stop-gap measure had to be undertaken,” Meralco
stressed.
The utility firm noted
it is highly important “to immediately implement he replacement of the defective
transformer at North Port substation in order to serve and promote public
interest and welfare in a more suitable and adequate manner.”
Meralco has emphasized
that if project implementation can be carried out with dispatch, “power
interruptions in the affected areas will be avoided and affected customers will
not be burdened with higher line losses resulting from emergency load
shifting.”
The Energy Regulatory
Commission (ERC) has set public hearings on this Meralco project application on
September 7 this year.
The power distribution
firm said it will have several preparatory activities “before the final testing
of the replaced power transformer such as fabrication of adapter bushings,
draining of carbonized insulating oil, and installation of adapters and
replacement of test bushings and sealing.”
No comments:
Post a Comment