Restoring Power In Bacolod: Negros Power’s Remarkable Efforts
Power is Back! Negros Power Brings Electricity Back to Alijis Feeders
Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) has successfully restored electricity to over 40,000 registered consumers in Bacolod City after a series of power outages caused by the failure of the Alijis Substation. The power interruption, which lasted nearly five days, left many residents frustrated, but the situation has now been resolved thanks to the quick actions taken by Negros Power.
On Monday morning, Negros Power fully energized the affected areas using a 10 MegaVolt Ampere (MVA) mobile substation brought in from Iloilo City. This mobile substation, with a capacity of 12 Megawatts (MW), was able to meet the 9.3 MW demand load of Alijis Feeders 1 and 3, ensuring that power was restored to all affected customers. The mobile substation was connected to the feeders of other substations to provide uninterrupted power delivery, eliminating the need for further rotational brownouts.
Alijis Feeder 3 had been particularly hard-hit, experiencing rotational brownouts due to a supply deficiency from the Murcia Substation, where it was temporarily connected. However, with the energization of the mobile substation, power has returned to normal for these areas, and Negros Power will no longer implement rotational brownouts.
While the restoration of power has brought much-needed relief, some feeders of the Alijis Substation remain connected to adjacent substations. This temporary arrangement will continue until Negros Power completes the installation of a new 18 MVA power transformer, scheduled for September 2. This new transformer is part of a larger effort to upgrade and modernize the power infrastructure in Bacolod City and Central Negros.
Roel Z. Castro, President and CEO of Negros Power, acknowledged the significant risk involved in transporting the 10 MVA mobile substation from their sister company, MORE Power, in Iloilo City. Despite the challenges, Castro emphasized that restoring power to Bacolod City consumers was their top priority. “We are not happy about what has happened, but we are committed to making things better for the consumers. Just give us time, space, and the benefit of the doubt. We will prove ourselves in due time,” Castro said following the restoration of electricity.
The failure of the 13-year-old power transformer at the Alijis Substation on August 21 highlighted the urgent need for rehabilitation and modernization of the electric distribution assets in the region. This transformer failure has accelerated the timeline for upgrades not only at Alijis but also at six other substations previously owned by Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO). These substations are also reaching critical operational levels and will be prioritized for rehabilitation as part of Negros Power’s ₱2 billion, 5-year development plan.
Negros Power and CENECO entered into a Joint Venture Agreement to address the financial needs required for these extensive upgrades. The partnership aims to ensure that the increasing power demand of Bacolod City and Central Negros is met efficiently and reliably. Since August 1, Negros Power has been deploying its personnel to support the management and operations of the distribution system, reinforcing its commitment to providing reliable power to the region.
The restoration of power to the Alijis feeders marks a significant step forward in Negros Power’s ongoing efforts to improve the reliability and resilience of Bacolod City’s power infrastructure. While challenges remain, the actions taken by Negros Power demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing the needs of its consumers and ensuring a stable power supply for the future.
