Meralco completes 7 capital projects

Business Mirror
SUNDAY, 22 JANUARY 2012 18:13 PAUL ANTHONY A. ISLA / REPORTER


POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said on Friday it has completed seven capital projects from November to December last year.


Ricardo Buencamino, Executive Vice President and Networks Head, said the projects reinforce the company’s electric distribution system and improve electric service.


The recently completed projects are the construction of a new substation, capacity addition to two existing substations, replacement of a defective power transformer, the construction of an additional 115-kilovolt (kV) subtransmission line and two new distribution lines. These projects are situated in Metro Manila and the provinces of Quezon, Laguna and Rizal.


The new Calamba substation, which was commissioned on December 29, augments Meralco's distribution capacity in the southern part of its franchise area to meet the increasing power requirements of customers in Calamba and Canlubang areas, including industrial customers in Light Industry & Science Park II and First Philippine Industrial Park.


Meralco added that the distribution lines from this new substation will provide a more, reliable and stable electric service in the Calamba and Sto. Tomas in Batangas.


A power transformer at Botocan substation was recommissioned on November 11, 2011 to boost the adjacent Tayabas and San Pablo II substations.


Meralco said a 13.8-kilovolt (kV) distribution line in Imus, Cavite was also upgraded to the standard 34.5-kV distribution system to enable customers in barangays Malagasang II-A and Anabu II-E to have switching flexibility during maintenance or emergency situations.


Meralco said its distribution facilities in Metro Manila were also augmented with the increased capacities at Tegen and Diliman substations through the installation of additional 83 megavolt-ampere power transformers.


Meralco said a second 115-kV source for Fort Bonifacio Global City-4 substation and a new distribution line from Dolores substation were completed.


Meralco said these additional facilities will support the load growth in the cities of Manila, Quezon, Taguig and municipalities of Taytay, Angono and Binangonan in Rizal.


Given these various capacities buildup, customers will greatly benefit from the enhanced distribution infrastructure in the respective said areas, the Meralco official said.


“Our company has chalked up another remarkable year in terms of our operational performance. We posted record-breaking levels in our efforts to reduce our system losses and improve electric service reliability to our customers. With the completion of these projects, we are capping the year on a high note,” Buencamino said.