MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is moving forward with a massive ₱23.9-billion interconnection project designed to link the island of Mindoro to the main Luzon power grid. The project involves the installation of high-voltage subsea cables, a move seen as a long-term solution to the persistent power supply issues and frequent rotational brownouts that have plagued the province for years.
The proposed Mindoro-Batas-Pinamucan Interconnection Project aims to integrate the island into the national transmission backbone. By connecting Mindoro to the Luzon grid via Batangas, the NGCP intends to provide a more stable and reliable source of electricity, reducing the island’s heavy reliance on costly and often unreliable localized oil-fired power plants.
“This subsea cable project is a critical infrastructure investment for the energy security of Mindoro,” an NGCP representative stated. “Connecting the island to the national grid will not only stabilize the power supply but also encourage more investments in the region by providing businesses with the assurance of consistent electricity.”
The project is divided into several technical phases:
- Subsea Cable Laying: The core of the project involves laying kilometers of submarine cables across the Verde Island Passage, one of the most challenging maritime environments due to its depth and ecological sensitivity.
- Substation Upgrades: Constructing and upgrading landing stations in Batangas and Mindoro to handle the high-voltage transmission and step down the power for local distribution.
- Overhead Transmission Lines: Building the necessary inland towers to connect the submarine cable landing points to the existing regional grid infrastructure.
Energy experts note that while the ₱23.9-billion price tag is significant, the project is expected to lower electricity rates in the long run. Currently, Mindoro residents pay some of the highest power rates in the country due to the “Missionary Electrification” subsidies required to run small-scale diesel plants. Direct access to the Luzon grid’s mix of coal, natural gas, and renewable energy would theoretically phase out these expensive local sources.
The NGCP is currently in the process of securing the necessary environmental clearances and right-of-way permits. Given the complexity of the underwater terrain and the environmental protections in the Verde Island Passage, the corporation is working closely with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure minimal impact on marine life.
Once completed, the interconnection will mark a turning point for Mindoro’s economy, potentially transforming the island from a power-deficient province into a new hub for tourism and light manufacturing in the MIMAROPA region.
