NKS Solar One Inc. (NKS) has secured the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to put up dedicated point-to-point transmission facilities worth P1.38 billion to connect its proposed 250-megawatt peak (MWp) solar power project in Laguna to the Luzon grid.
NKS is a joint venture between Blueleaf Energy Philippines and NKS Energy Utilities. The company said connection will be via the 230-kiloVolt (kV) Lumban substation of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). Based on the system impact study and facility study conducted by the NGCP, the proposed connection to the Luzon grid is ‘technically feasible.’
The NKS Solar One project, which was certified by the Department of Energy (DOE) as an energy project of national significance (CEPNS), will be completed in two phases: the construction of the 162-MWp Caliraya floating solar power project and the construction of the 88-MWp Lumot floating solar power project. These floating solar power projects are intended to be dispatched through the Green Energy Auction (GEA)-2 and GEA-4, respectively.
In approving NKS’ application to connect its 250-MWp floating solar power project to the grid through the NGCP’s Lumban 230-kV substation, the ERC said ‘the evidence presented shows that it will redound to the benefit of the electricity consumers in terms of continuous, quality, reliable, and efficient power supply in accordance with Section 2 of the Epira.’
However, NKS is not authorized to own the proposed facility and should turn this over to NGCP, which will operate and maintain it.
NKS has tapped Power Dimension Inc. (PDI) for the civil works, construction and development of the said facilities. The company was also directed to pay ERC P10.35 million for a permit. The ERC added that its decision is without prejudice to NKS’ compliance with the Certificate of Compliance requirements to the commission.