NGCP targets complete line restoration before Christmas

Press Release
December 10, 2014

QUEZON CITY – “NGCP is fast-tracking the restoration of transmission lines and facilities affected by Typhoon Ruby in the Visayas. We are targeting completion of restoration activities before Christmas,” stated NGCP President and CEO Henry Sy, Jr.

The target restoration date was determined after NGCP completed the assessment of its affected facilities through aerial inspection and foot patrol. To expedite restoration, 36 line gangs – 24 from Visayas, 6 from Mindanao, 3 from North Luzon, and 3 from South Luzon – were mobilized to ensure that NGCP complies with the deadline set by the Department of Energy (DOE).

“We intend to restore our backbone lines within the week. All our remaining unrestored 69-kV lines in Leyte and Samar will be ready to transmit power to the different distribution utilities and electric cooperatives by December 25,” explained Mr. Sy.

The system operator and power transmission service provider, however, clarified that the completion of restoration works will still depend on weather conditions prevailing in the area. Adverse weather may still hamper restoration activities and prevent them from meeting the deadline.

NGCP implemented necessary precautions and preparations to facilitate immediate restoration work even before the passage of Typhoon Ruby. These include ensuring the availability of hardware materials and supplies necessary for the repair of damages to facilities, as well as the positioning of line crews in strategic areas.