P149 M Panay-Boracay power project up
Iloilo -- Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla is set to inaugurate the P149 million Panay-Boracay Interconnection Project on April 8, 2006.
This was learned from Information Officer Cora Dureza of the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo-Region VI) in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency.
The Panay-Boracay Interconnection project is the first phase of the TransCo’s Small Island Submarine Interconnection Development (SISID) program aimed to establish a bi-directional electricity highway at the nation’s western corridor and eventually complete the Luz0n-Visayas transmission loop.
As earlier announced by TransCo President Alan Ortiz, the 69 kilovolt interconnection project is their commitment to meet the increasing power requirements of Boracay island, the country’s world-famous tourist destination.
The SISID program, a multi-phase transmission project, as envisioned will start at Panay-Boracay, then the Luzon-Mindoro, followed by Mindoro-SemiraraIsland-Panay; and finally the Boracay-Tablas-Romblon transmission links. This development program will allow the interconnection of key small islands and enable it to maximize its economic potentials. The new transmission highway will complement the Leyte-Luzon Interconnection Link in the Eastern corridor.
As to the Panay Boracay Interconnection project, TransCo successfully completed the laying of the 1.6 kilometers of submarine cable which will connect TransCo’s future cable terminal stations in Caticlan and in Manok-Manok, Boracay which are being fast-tracked for completion by the end of this month or early April.
Providing the country’s world-famous tourist destination, Boracay Island, a clean and more reliable energy is one of the thrusts of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The 69-kilovolt Panay-Boracay Interconnection Project is a joint undertaking of TransCo and the Aklan Electric Cooperative.
(T.Villavert/PIA)