The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is allowing the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to complete the Amlan-Dumaguete 138-kiloVolt (kV) transmission line project by March 2027.
‘NGCP’s prayer to reconsider the Commission’s directive requiring NGCP to complete the project on or before September 5, 2024, and to reconsider a new estimated time of completion on March 31, 2027 is granted,’ the ERC’s 20-page order stated.
NGCP was also ordered to pay permit fees amounting to P14,167,262.59.
As of February 2026, the said project has achieved a 64-percent progress rate.
‘In view of the foregoing circumstances and the issues raised by NGCP in its motion for partial reconsideration and supplemental motion, and taking into consideration the operational need to ensure adequate transmission support for the affected areas, the commission finds it reasonable to adopt March 31, 2027, as the revised target completion date of the Amlan-Dumaguete 138kV transmission line project,’ the ERC ruled.
The NGCP said it encountered several challenges in the implementation of the project, particularly delays executing the writ of possession, issues with the local government, and difficulties in obtaining the necessary permits and clearances.
The same ERC order stated that NGCP may carry out the Siaton-Bayawan 138-kV transmission line project ahead of the commission’s approval only after it has secured a certificate of energy project of national significance from the Department of Energy (DOE).
Moreover, the ERC ordered NGCP to submit a detailed quarterly progress report of the projects.
‘The NGCP shall implement all necessary measures to mitigate the operational impact of the project delay on the affected distribution utilities [DUs], particularly with respect to maintaining system reliability and addressing N-1 contingency concerns,’ the ERC said.
Last month, the NGCP said it is on track to complete 10 projects worth P30.88 billion this year. If successful, these additions will bring the company’s total completed projects for the year to 15, with a combined value of approximately P38 billion.
The projects that are up for completion in the second half of the year are the relocation of steel poles along Hermosa-Duhat 230-kv transmission line, Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay transmission line, Luzon voltage improvement project-3, New Antipolo 230-kV substation, North Luzon substation upgrading project 1, Tuguegarao-Lal-lo 230-kV transmission line, Amlan-Dumaguete 138-kV transmission line, Panay-Guimaras 138-kV interconnection, Mindanao substation expansion 4, and Nasipit substation bus-in project.