By MAE SINGUAY

Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) has started the installation of 40 automatic circuit reclosers (ACR) on several feeders of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) to improve power stability and prevent system disturbances.

In a press conference at NEPC’s temporary office in Bacolod City’s Barangay Villamonte yesterday, Roel Castro, NEPC president and chief executive officer, said they have purchased ACRs.

ACR is a self-contained device that detects overcurrents and interrupts fault currents, while reenergizing the line by reclosing automatically.

Castro said they will install ACRs on feeders so that responding to power interruptions will be sectionalized.

“‘Pag meron kasing isang fault na tatama sa line at hindi na-sectionalize ang buong feeder, lahat ng consumers will be affected,” Castro explained.

“If you sectionalize, hindi lahat matatamaan. It will be only half ang affected. That is the use of ACR, automatic babalik. Hindi na kailangan ng tao natin na hanapin kung saan ang fault,” he added.

The procurement of ACRs, which costs P600,000 each, was sourced from NEPC’s P2 billion rehabilitation fund.

Castro said NEPC started installing two ACRs on its priority Ceneco feeders last September 7, and targets to finish the installation by the first quarter of 2025.

The target feeders are Sections 1, 2 and 3 of Talisay Feeder 3, Lopez Feeder 1 and Murcia Feeder 3; Sections 1 and 2 of Hilangban Feeder 4; Sum-ag Feeder 1; Hilangbaan Feeder 1; and Burgos Feeder 3.

NEPC had earlier outlined its five-year rehabilitation program of Ceneco’s power facilities, including the modernization of the Alijis Substation and other inherited facilities, while waiting for its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Energy Regulatory Commission.

This marks a significant step in NEPC’s evolution as the new power distribution utility in Central Negros, after entering into a joint venture agreement with Ceneco in June 2023./MS, WDJ