Visayas Mindanao Interconnection

Project
Final Report
 05 September 2017

OUTLINE

1.0 PURPOSE....................................................................................................2
2.0 BRIEF BACKGROUND.................................................................................3
2.1 NGCP Project Proposal...................................................................................8
3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................7
2.1 TransCO Proposed Project Scheme.................................................................8
4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................7
3.1 NGCP Recommendations...............................................................................8
3.2 TransCo Proposed Batangas SIPS Logic Diagram.............................................9
5.0 ANNEXES..................................................................................................11

Page 1 of 12
1.0 PURPOSE

The Visayas Mindanao Interconnection Project (VMIP) was the third and last part of the
multistage plan of the Philippine Government to finally interconnect the three (3) major grids
namely Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids into a single national grid which is expected to help
improve the overall power supply security in the country. Through Department of Energy
(DOE), the Philippine Government extent its support to the grid interconnection project which
was filed and proposed by the National Transmission Corporations (TransCo) concessionaire,
National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)
last 27 April 2017. The proposed interconnection project between Visayas and Mindanao grid
costs P52 billion and is target to be completed by 2020 assuming all regulatory approvals are
secured on time. However, DOE is looking into the idea that it would be finance by the
government through Malampaya funds instead of NGCP funds so that the cost of the
interconnection project would no longer be passed on to the customers.

Transco undertaking interconnection projects for the Philippine Government to carry out the
development and construction of the Visayas Mindanao Interconnection Project proposed a
new approach that would lessen the overall cost of the project.

Page 2 of 12
2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 NGCP Project Proposal

NGCP had considered four (4) options for the proposed interconnection of Visayas
and Mindanao. The result of the desktop study and hydrographic survey shows favourable
option along the western route. The Zamboanga Cebu route is preferred as it is marked
by generally low to moderate gradients and it avoids areas with strong seawater current.
Also, the preferred route will direct the interconnection to the main load center of the
Visayas Grid. The preferred option is discussed below:

Interconnection of Visayas and Mindanao Grid via Cebu (Magdugo SS) and
Zamboanga (Aurora SS) involves the construction and development of converter
station in Sibonga, Cebu and Aurora, Zamboanga Del Sur. The HVDC system will be
linked to the existing AC system via 230 kV connection to Magdugo Substation. The
components of this options are listed below:

Converter stations including associated electrode stations and electrode lines in

Sibonga, Cebu and Aurora, Zamboanga Del Sur.
Cable terminal stations (CTS) in Santander, Cebu and Dapitan, Zamboanga Del
Norte
Expansions in Magdugo SS and Aurora SS
92 kilometer 350 kV HVDC submarine cable between Santander CTS and
Dapitan CTS
90 kilometer 350 kV HVDC OHTL from Santander CTS to Sibonga CS/SS
50 kilometer 230 kV OHTL from Sibonga CS/SS to Magdugo SS
135 kilometer 350 kV HVDC OHTL from Dapitan CTS to New Aurora CS/SS
New Substation in Umapad, Cebu, including associated transmission line
extensions from Cebu-Lapulapu transmission lines

Page 3 of 12
Figure 1 Project Single Line Diagram

Page 4 of 12
 Figure 2 Geographical location map of the project

Figure 4. Batangas SIPS Logic Diagram

3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

Page 5 of 12
3.1 TransCO Project Scheme

3.2 Project Comparison

Page 6 of 12
 Figure 8. TransCo Proposed Batangas SIPS Logic Diagram

4.0 ANNEXES

Page 7 of 12