Transformer failure causes power outages in Bacolod; repairs could take weeks

BACOLOD, Philippines – Bacolod City experienced power outages again Wednesday night, August 21, when a major transformer of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) was busted. Ceneco estimates that installing a new transformer will take at least two weeks, which could lead to more blackouts.

The blackouts, blamed on the busted 37-megavolt ampere (MVA) transformer at the Alijis sub-station, have affected about 42,000 power consumers in the barangays of Pahanocoy, Handumanan, Feliza, Alijis, Taculing, Sincang-Airport, and Tangub.

The 13-year-old transformer was busted around 8 pm, immediately affecting seven feeders which transmit electricity to the seven Bacolod barangays. An assessment report showed that it was beyond repair.

Engineer Bailey del Castillo, chief operations officer of Negros Power, said during a press briefing on Thursday that the recent power outages were beyond their control and that they were doing everything possible to solve the problem.

Negros Power, controlled by business tycoon Enrique Razon, was recently granted a 25-year franchise by the government to operate a power distribution network in Bacolod and parts of Negros Occidental. The company is investing approximately P2 billion to rehabilitate, upgrade, and modernize Ceneco’s lines and facilities.

Del Castillo said that replacing the damaged transformer is the best option, but installing a new one will take nearly two weeks.

He added that they are currently working to balance capacity and demand in the affected areas by implementing a rerouting scheme using 32 megawatts (MW) of combined power from the Murcia, Gonzaga, and Sum-ag sub-stations as an interim solution to address the current problem.

However, intermittent power outages will continue in the affected areas until the new transformer arrives.

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has asked Negros Power to immediately present its rehabilitation plan for Ceneco’s lines and facilities to the public.

Negros Power has yet to fully take over Ceneco’s operations, as it is still awaiting the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which is expected to be released soon.

The CPCN is the final stage needed by Negros Power to begin full-scale operations for power transmission services within the Ceneco franchise areas, including the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Silay, and Talisay, and the towns of Don Salvador Benedicto and Murcia. Despite not having the CPCN, Negros Power is currently assisting Ceneco in its operations during this transition period.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Negros Power’s 25-year franchise as the new power distributor in central Negros Occidental on June 26.

Negros Power is a joint venture between Ceneco and Razon’s Primelectric Holdings Incorporated (PHI).

Under the 25-year agreement, Negros Power will hold a 70% stake and be responsible for all operations, while Ceneco will retain a 30% stake, focusing solely on management. – Rappler.com