Uncooperative landowner delays critical NGCP repair in Mindanao

By Danessa O. Rivera (The Philippine Star) | Updated October 28, 2015 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said the Mindanao grid is still at risk of lengthened power shortage because of a landowner’s refusal to repair the vital transmission line that tripped.

In a text advisory, the grid operator said almost 30-megawatts (MW) supplied by Agus 1 hydroelectric plant was isolated from the Mindanao grid as an uncooperative landowner refused to allow NGCP to conduct line maintenance and repair activities within the property.

“The plant was isolated from the grid at 9:14 a.m. today when Agus 2 and Agus 1 138-kV tie line tripped and could not be repaired immediately because of the uncooperative landowner, Mr. Mitmug Dimaampao,” it said.

The tie line, is operated and maintained by the state-owned National Power Corp. (Napocor), was then energized at the Agus 2 switchyard side at 11:37 a.m.yesterday.

NGCP noted Dimaampao is the same landowner who previously barred NGCP linemen from entering the property to cut trees which obstruct the transmission lines.

Earlier this month, the grid operator warned of additional one to two hours of brownouts in the Mindanao region due to right-of-way (ROW) issues along its major transmission facilities.

Last Oct. 17, NGCP’s Agus 2-Kibawe Line 1 in Lanao tripped caused by fallen tree, cutting the line conductors.

This adds to the three major transmission lines that went out of operations since July 2014 due to vegetation problems and uncooperative landowners, which refuse entry to NGCP personnel to clear and restore these lines.

NGCP reiterated its appeal for the public’s cooperation and warns that right of way violations along transmission lines compromise not just the safety of the people, but also the security of the power grid.

“Because of Mindanao’s current power situation, the isolation of any power plant from the grid may result in more load curtailment during peak hours to allocate whatever power is available to the rest of the customers,” it added.