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November 19, 2020
Napocor issues updates on its five Luzon Dams
State-owned National Power Corporation (Napocor) issues updates on the statuses of the five large dams in Luzon it oversees and manages. These are Angat Dam in Bulacan, Ambuklao and Binga Dams in Benguet, San Roque Dam in Pangasinan and Caliraya Dam in Laguna.
Napocor said that Angat Dam’s elevation as of 8AM today is 212.40 meters above sea level (masl). Its spillway gates closed and stopped its water release on November 15 at 5:10pm with elevation 213.08 masl.
On November 12 at 1pm, Gate 2 was opened at 0.5 meter with spill discharge of 64 cubic meters per second (cms). Releasing water through the spillway gates is imperative to protect the integrity of the dam. Napocor said it did not release water prior the typhoon because the level was only at 206 masl.
As part of its protocol, all concerned LGUs were notified four hours before the spilling operations: Norzagaray, Angat, Bustos, San Rafael, Baliuag, Plaridel, Pulilan, Calumpit, Paombong and Hagonoy.
“From the first water release, we gradually increased gate openings because the water level continues to rise as water flows from the mountains start to fill the dam’s reservoir, reaching 214 masl. Though the maximum gate opening was only 2.0 meters, with an equivalent spill discharge of 278 cms.,” Napocor President and CEO Pio J. Benavidez said.
Further, while Napocor sympathizes with the towns extremely submerged in floodwater and mud such as Marikina, and portions of Rizal, the corporation clarifies that these areas are not part of the Angat River basin.
For the Ambuklao and Binga Dams in Benguet, Binga Dam has been releasing waters since November 7, 2020 with 0.3 meter opening at Gate 3 while Ambuklao Dam opened its Gate 3 at 0.3 meters opening on November 9, 2020.
As of 8am today, Binga Dam still has two gates open (Gate 2 and Gate 3 at 0.3 meter opening for each) while Ambuklao Dam has one gate open (Gate 4 at 0.5 meters).
All the water discharges from these two (2) dams are contained by the downstream reservoir of San Roque which is still below its spilling level of 280 masl. Elevation at 8am today is at 270.62 masl.
Meanwhile, the Caliraya Dam in Laguna did not conduct water spilling operations though a Notice of Preparatory Phase of Dam Discharge Warning Operation as a precaution was issued informing the public that the reservoir water level has reached to 287.72 masl at 2am of November 12, 2020. It can be recalled that the notice asked the people to be on alert in the event of spilling operations.
The Caliraya Dam, in fact, has never released water from its spillway gates ever since as this is a pump-storage facility. This means that water is pumped from Laguna de Bay to the Caliraya Reservoir, then the water is utilized for power generation flowing through the turbines going back to Laguna de Bay.
“We are assuring the public that Napocor practices prudence in our dam operations and decisions, always considering the safety of the communities downstream and preserving the dams safe water level, a great source used for domestic water supply, irrigation, and power,” said Benavidez. END
Press Release
22 January 2020
Napocor celebrates groundbreaking of its Visayas office
State-owned National Power Corporation (Napocor) on Wednesday held a groundbreaking ceremony in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City to kick off the construction of its satellite office in the Visayas region.
“The office will be the center of transaction among the 46 Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) power plants in Visayas,” said Napocor President and CEO Pio J. Benavidez.
Napocor said that the new office will help them streamline their operations and reach more new areas to energize. The corporation currently services 55 thousand households across 29 municipalities in the region. 24 of its 46 power plants are operating 24/7 including the two (2) power barges stationed in Camotes island.
Benavidez said that this number will still increase as the corporation is set to launch nine (9) new areas in Eastern and Northern Samar.
Located on a 2,000 square meter land in Lahug leased by the Provincial Government of Cebu through a Usufruct Agreement, the new office will have three storeys with a training room and equipment center. It is anticipated to be finished in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Present during the ceremonial groundbreaking were Napocor top officials and representatives from the local government units. END
Press Release
04 November 2019
ERC chair graces Napocor’s 83rd anniversary, calls on for more hybrid power systems in SPUG
As we regulate the power sector and the Department of Energy comes up with policies, you are the heart of the government’s power sector, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera said before the employees of the National Power Corporation (Napocor).
In her keynote address on the occasion of Napocor’s 83rd anniversary, Devanadera said that the government corporation’s role in bringing electricity to the farthest islands and communities in the country is undeniably significant to the overall progress of the country.
Nonetheless, the ERC chair said that while Napocor performs this role and continue to reach new areas, it should also proactively delve into hybrid renewable energy.
“In a study we conducted at the ERC, we infer that renewable energy sources can bring down the rates. For this, we need to grasp new technologies that will allow us to give better service at a lower price,” said Devanadera.
This call of the ERC, as aptly suited to the anniversary theme ‘Engaging the Challenge’ reinforced Napocor’s earlier commitment to submit to the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.
In his message, Napocor President and CEO Pio J. Benavidez rallied Napocor employees nationwide to continue stepping up to the growing power needs and to the developing technology in renewable energy.
Currently, Napocor is set to sync its 120-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar installation with energy storage system in Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte to the local power grid.
Likewise, as contained in its Missionary Electrification Plan, Napocor have already subjected 17 areas for hybridization with solar PV and battery capacity of 1.795 MWp and 1.620 MWh in 2020.
As mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, Napocor powers the off-grid islands through its 276 Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) plants which services 826,000 households in the country. END
PRESS RELEASE
24 August 2019
Napocor awards 1.2B transmission and substation projects in Palawan, Mindoro, Marinduque, and Catanduanes
State-owned National Power Corporation (Napocor) gets the nod from the National Power Board for the award of various transmission and substation project contracts in the provinces of Palawan, Mindoro, Marinduque, and Catanduanes amounting to P 1.286 billion.
“These awarded projects will secure a more reliable and resilient transmission system to the provinces we serve. In the long run, it can also help our partner electric cooperatives in reducing their systems loss,” said Napocor President and CEO Pio J. Benavidez.
The supply and installation of the Roxas to Taytay 69 kV transmission line in Palawan which comes in two work packages was awarded to SL Development Construction Corporation (SLDCC) and DM Consunji, Inc. after successful public bidding. Package 1 will cover 36 circuit kilometers from the Roxas substation to Alimanguan while package 2 will cover 34 circuit kilometers from Alimanguan to Napocor’s substation in Taytay.
Napocor also awards the contract for the rehabilitation of the 53 km Minolo to Mamburao 69 kV transmission line to Hansei Corporation. The rehabilitation works include replacing wooden poles with steel and concrete.
The contract for the construction of another 10 MVA substation in Mogpog and rehabilitation and transfer of the existing 10 MVA substation in Boac to Mogpog in Marinduque is likewise awarded to Power Dimension, Inc. Napocor said that the completion of these projects will ensure the safe and reliable transmission of power from Boac to Torrijos load-end substation.
In improving the transmission system of Catanduanes, Napocor awarded another contract to SLDCC for the construction of 5 MVA substation in San Miguel.
Apart from the said provinces, Napocor also operates and maintains the transmission system in Masbate. This is as mandated by EPIRA that the corporation provide associated power delivery systems in areas not connected to the main transmission grid.
In pursuit of the same mandate, Napocor also operates 276 Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) power plants in 195 municipalities across 34 provinces in the country. END
Press Release
26 July 2019
Napocor inaugurates new transmission line and substation in Catanduanes
State-owned National Power Corporation (Napocor) on Thursday, July 25 switches-on the 15-kilometer Virac to San Miguel 69 kV transmission line and the 5 MVA Codon substation in the province of Catanduanes.
Napocor said it has allotted 240 million pesos for the completion of the projects which is seen to significantly contribute to a more reliable transfer of power from the power plants to households and establishments.
Napocor President and CEO Pio J. Benavidez emphasizes that it is not only the corporation’s goal to complete the backbone transmission system of the island provinces it covers but also to build better and more resilient power facilities.
“We employ high-quality standards for our power facilities knowing that the areas we serve are the most susceptible to typhoons,” said Benavidez who also hails from Catanduanes.
The province of Catanduanes in 2008 was opened to private sector participation as provided by DOE Circular 2004-01-001. Pending the private sector’s full takeover of the province’s power generation requirements, Napocor maintains its Marinawa, Viga, and Balongbong hydroelectric power plants. These power facilities have a total dependable capacity of 6.650 MW.
Its new power provider, Sun West Water and Electric Company, on the other hand, generates a total of 11.290 MW from its hydro and diesel power plants.
Napocor also operates a small power plant in Palumbanes island, located on the northwestern coast of Catanduanes.
Apart from Catanduanes, Napocor also operates and maintains the transmission system of Palawan, Masbate, Marinduque, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro. END
Press Release
15 June 2019
Napocor projects in Palawan get priority status from DOE
National Power Corporation’s (Napocor) capacity addition and transmission system projects in Palawan get certified as energy projects of national significance (EPNS) by the Energy Investment Coordination Council (EICC) of the Department of Energy.
The certification was granted to the Palawan island service delivery improvement projects which consisted of capacity additions to eight (8) existing Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) plants and installation of new generating sets to 18 new areas with an aggregate capacity of 5.3 MW.
The existing areas included in the project package are Agutaya Diesel Power Plant (DPP), Araceli DPP, Balabac DPP, Cagayancillo DPP, Culion DPP, Cuyo DPP, Linapacan DPP and Rizal DPP.
Meanwhile, the new areas where power facilities will be established are located in the island or far-flung villages in the municipalities of Taytay (4 areas), Cuyo (2 areas), Coron (2 areas), Linapacan (2 areas), Balabac (2 areas), Araceli, Culion, Agutaya, El Nido, Busuanga, and San Vicente.
Another certificate on EPNS was granted to Napocor’s Palawan grid development projects which composed of nine (9) transmission and substation projects. These are the Brooke’s Point to Bataraza transmission line (approximately 28 kms), Taytay to El Nido transmission line (approx. 60.9 kms), Alimanguhan Swtiching Station project, Alimanguhan Switching Station to San Vicente transmission line (approx. 20 kms), Bataraza substation project, Brooke’s Point substation expansion project, and substations in El Nido, San Vicente and Taytay.
“These transmission line projects will complete the backbone transmission system of the province, and strengthen power reliability and stability,” said Napocor President and CEO Pio J. Benavidez.
Napocor noted that Palawan being the fifth largest island in the Philippines and spans to 434 km long certainly requires several projects to thoroughly secure its power supply and operations.
“With the priority status from EICC – DOE, we hope to expedite the bidding, awarding and implementation process of the said projects,” Benavidez said.
Early this year, Napocor has garnered the same certificate for its 23 projects in various power facilities in off-grid areas in the country.
EICC was created through Executive Order 30 which aims to harmonize and streamline the regulatory processes for critical energy projects. END
Press Release
21 September 2018
Napocor restores power to Typhoon Ompong affected islands and off-grid areas
The National Power Corporation (Napocor) has successfully restored power in its Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) power plants affected by Typhoon Ompong and continues to effectively manage Luzon dams.
Normal power plant operations are now in effect in Batanes (Sabtang, Itbayat and Basco Diesel Power Plants), Cagayan (Calayan, Balatubat and Minabel DPPs), Isabela (Palanan DPP and Maconacon mini-grid) and Aurora (Casiguran DPP).
Napocor’s Kabugao DPP in Apayao, on the other hand, remains nonoperational as it awaits distribution line restoration.
“During typhoons or natural disaster, our protocol demands us to shut down power plants in order to protect our generating sets from mechanical stress that can be caused by distribution line disturbances,” said Napocor President and CEO Pio J. Benavidez.
Napocor said that it then coordinates with electric cooperatives and/or distribution utilities in returning the power back to the grid after clearing operations.
Meanwhile, as of 8AM Friday, Napocor halts spilling operations in San Roque dam as the water elevation reached 275.24 meters above sea level (masl). END
Press Release
30 May 2019
Napocor to bid out solar hybrid system for Bohol islands
The National Power Corporation (Napocor) is set to bid out the contract for the design, supply and installation of two 50-kW solar PV-diesel hybrid system project for the islands of Balicasag and Cuaming in Bohol province.
This is after the National Power Board, chaired by the Department of Finance, approved the terms of reference for the said projects.
With total approved budget contract of P 56 million, Napocor expressed its hope that a lot of bidders will be interested to participate in the public bidding so as to meet its timeline in commissioning and energizing the project.
Currently, Balicasag and Cuaming, which both have 24/7 power service are being serviced by Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) plants with dependable capacities of 192 kW and 160 kW, respectively. Both tourist hot-spot islands have less than 100 kW peak demand.
“NPC has strengthened its plans on renewable energy development not only for sustainability measures but also to lower down the power rates in off-grid areas,” said Napocor President and CEO Pio J. Benavidez.
Further, Napocor said that in its 2020 Missionary Electrification Plan, there are 17 areas programmed for hybridization, eight (8) of which are new areas with solar PV and battery capacities.
Benavidez said that this is also in response to the Department of Energy’s directive on low carbon future. END
Press Release
29 August 2018
Napocor remits dividends to the national coffers
The National Power Corporation (Napocor) is among the 54 Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) who were recently recognized for remitting dividends to the National Treasury at the GOCC day held at the Rizal Hall of Malacañan Palace.
Napocor said that it has remitted a total of P867 million pesos for the period January to July this year, a contribution attributed to the good financial standing and prudent use of funds of the corporation.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said that the dividends from GOCCs for the first seven months of the year, which totaled to P32 billion will go a long way in helping the country fund the massive infrastructure and social development programs of the government.
Under RA 7656, otherwise known as the Dividend Law, GOCCs are required to declare and remit half or part of their income as per the recommendation of the Secretary of Finance to the National Government for the development projects in the country. END
Press Release
11 October 2018
Napocor inaugurates first mini grid in Palawan
State-owned National Power Corporation (Napocor) inaugurates its first mini-grid in Palawan, granting access to electricity to 130 initial households in Nangalao, Linapacan.
Napocor said that it has allotted an 80-kW generating set and granted 8 hours of electricity to the community which has 170 more potential households and will add capacities/operating hours accordingly to the growing demand.
“The community’s main source of livelihood is fishing. Now with electricity, we wish to bring tourism in the picture since the island has huge potential in attracting tourists,” said Napocor President and CEO Pio J. Benavidez.
The project is part of a Memorandum of Agreement signed by Napocor and the Provincial Government of Palawan which stipulates the former’s provision of generating sets, fuel and manpower, and the latter’s commitment to provide for the powerhouse and plant site.
“The provincial government also provided the distribution line in Nangalao which helped us expedite the energization of the area,” Benavidez said.
Linapacan is an island municipality located south of the Calamian Group of Islands (Busuanga, Coron, Culion). It is one of the many undiscovered paradise in the Philippines that boasts of clear waters and breathtaking marine reserve.
Of the seven other new areas in Palawan to be electrified under the said MOA, three (3) more areas are scheduled this year – Barangays Casian, Paly and Beyton in Taytay. The remaining barangays, Tara in Coron, Concepcion in Agutaya, and Bancalan 1 and 2 in Balabac are scheduled to be energized in 2019.
Meanwhile, Napocor has recently granted 24/7 power to its diesel power plants in Tagapul-an in Samar, Balut in Davao Occidental, Almagro in Samar, and Cabul-an in Bohol benefiting a total of 2,900 households.
Napocor, the national government’s arm for missionary electrification, presently operates and manages 275 power facilities in 190 municipalities across 34 provinces in the archipelago. END