CANE POINTS: Why is There a Massive Brownout This Sunday?

Negros Power has advised its consumers that there will be a power interruption on Sunday, May 24. Out of Negros Power’s 11 substations, four substations – Murcia, Alijis, Reclamation and Asdes-Gonzaga – will be affected, wholly or partially.

For a full list of the scope of works to be performed, as well as the affected feeders / areas, consumers may visit: https://web.facebook.com/negrospowerph/posts/122221286348048473 To know which feeder your residence or electric service connection belongs, visit Negros Power’s latest Feeder Coverage Area at: https://web.facebook.com/negrospowerph/posts/122220535868048473

This Sunday’s power interruption is intended to rehabilitate and upgrade the 69kV Transmission Lines to accommodate the projected increase in power demand arising from the construction of two additional substations in Bacolod City, namely the 37.5 Capitol Substation and the 37.5 Megaworld Substation.

In areas within the scope of the Alijis Substation, Negros Power will conduct maintenance of the transmission lines, as well as replacement of old poles and rerouting of some poles along the transmission and distribution lines in Alijis Road (Bacolod-Murcia Road).

Murcia Substation will undergo reconfiguration or re-arrangement of line connections attached to Murcia Feeder 1 and Murcia Feeder 2 at the Tanduay Distillery and Murcia Substation areas. Murcia Feeder 3 and Murcia Feeder 4 will likewise be affected by the activity at the Murcia Substation.

Simultaneously, Negros Power will reconductor or replace with new wires the Bacolod-Bata 69kV Transmission Line. The existing ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel-Reinforced) wires will be replaced with STACIR wires to increase the line’s carrying capacity so that it can “carry” the projected additional from the Capitol and Megaworld Substations.

An ACSR wire is the traditional bare wire; it will be replaced with the STACIR wire, a high-temperature, low-sag power conductor which can withstand high temperature without expanding or getting heavier so as to cause the lines to sag or droop.

The STACIR wire can carry double the current capacity of the ACSR wire. This upgrade is in preparation for the increased power demand once the Capitol Substation and the Megaworld Substation are energized in the last quarter of this year and perhaps in the middle of next year, respectively.

The Asdes-Gonzaga Substation and the Reclamation Substation, which draw power from the Bacolod-Bata 69 kV Transmission Line, will be affected.

The rehabilitation and upgrading of a power distribution system can be likened to the renovation and expansion of a residential dwelling.

When part of a house is being renovated or when a house undergoes a major expansion, some areas of that house could not be used for some time by the residents. Of course, the house owner can instruct the workers to work just for one day, skip the next day so that the residents can use the area, then work again on the following day. This can surely be done, but that will prolong the work period and the inconvenience to the residents.

Temporarily giving up the use of part or parts of the house while it is undergoing renovation or expansion is the sacrifice that the house’s dwellers have to make, so that, in the end, their residence will become more attractive, bigger, stronger and more convenient to live in. And the sooner the work is finished, the better for everybody. Such is also the case with a power distribution infrastructure. While the rehabilitation and upgrading are ongoing, some areas will have to experience power interruption. The work cannot be done piecemeal because of all the number of personnel, vehicles and equipment which have to be mobilized for such a massive undertaking. This is a vast, synchronized operation which simply cannot be turned on and turned off every four hours.

These are sacrifices which consumers have to make, so that the entire distribution system will become more reliable, stable and resilient. With a reliable, stable and resilient power infrastructure, Bacolod City and the neighboring areas will become more attractive to investors, who can bring more employment opportunities and spur more economic activities which can benefit consumers and their families.* (BB)