THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved Giga Ace 6 Inc.’s transmission facilities to connect its 344.5-megawatt Quezon North wind power project to the national grid.
Giga Ace 6 is a subsidiary of Ayala-led renewable energy company Acen Corp.
In a decision released Saturday, the ERC authorized Giga Ace 6 to develop and own the dedicated facilities, whose estimated cost was revised to P7.35 billion from P6.45 billion.
The wind project covers areas near Kalayaan, Paete, Pakil and Pangil in Laguna, and Mauban and Real in Quezon.
Under an interim connection scheme, the plant will connect to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ (NGCP) San Jose-Tayabas 500-kilovolt transmission line. Its final connection will be through NGCP’s Sta. Maria 500-kilovolt substation.
The interim facilities include a 1,000-megavolt-ampere take-off substation equipped with protection and telecommunications systems, and a 2.7-kilometer, 500-kilovolt double-circuit transmission line.
The final connection will use a 20-km, 500-kilovolt double-circuit transmission line.
The ERC noted that inspections in September showed construction of the facilities had begun before the company secured regulatory approval.
Thus, the agency reminded power generation companies and other grid users to obtain its authorization before developing and constructing similar facilities.
Prior approval ensures coordinated planning and protects the integrity and security of the grid, the ERC said. It also prevents the proliferation of unauthorized facilities that could compromise power system reliability.
Acen’s Friday share price inched down by P0.01 to P2.62 apiece. Ed Paolo Salting
