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Brix Lelis - The Philippine Star
December 22, 2025 | 12:00am
The decision allows the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to build its proposed Milaor 500-kilovolt substation, which aims to provide a connection point to offshore wind projects in the province.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved a P13-billion grid infrastructure project in Camarines Sur designed to support offshore wind development.
The decision allows the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to build its proposed Milaor 500-kilovolt substation, which aims to provide a connection point to offshore wind projects in the province.
The first phase of the project involves installing a 1,000-megavolt-ampere (MVA) transformer, scheduled for completion in 2027 to accommodate new wind projects.
The second phase will add another 1,000-MVA transformer, planned for completion in 2030.
This development is said to be critical, as offshore wind project developers aim to begin commissioning as early as 2027 to support the government’s renewable energy targets.
Based on the latest Department of Energy data, six wind projects with a total potential capacity of 3,100 megawatts are planned across Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.
Of the total, four are offshore projects that have completed their system impact study with the NGCP.
The study determines the capacity of the national grid to accommodate a new connection while identifying necessary improvements such as additional transmission lines, transformers or substations.
“Assuming the integration of the proposed wind projects, the existing transmission lines are projected to experience non-convergence,” the ERC decision stated.
This condition, records showed, could lead to generation curtailment, suggesting the current transmission infrastructure may not be sufficient to handle the additional power without upgrades.
Aside from complementing the entry of wind projects, the planned substation is also expected to support the intended increase in the transfer capacity of the Luzon-Visayas link via the NGCP’s Luzon-Visayas HVDC Bipolar Operation Project.
