By MAE SINGUAY
Several initiatives have been made by Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) in the first two months since its takeover of Central Negros Electric Cooperative’s operations in August, while staying true to its commitment to distribute reliable energy in Central Negros./MS, WDJ
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- Negros Power prioritizes critical areas where power outages are likely to happen by correcting hotspots and loose connections that could eventually cause equipment failure.
- Negros Power installed a new 18 MVA transformer in the Alijis Substation, automatic circuit reclosers for substations and feeders, and upgraded distribution transformers.
- Their personnel conduct massive clearing of vegetation from power lines in 6,000 critical locations all over the franchise area, accomplishing more than 95 percent of the target.
- Almost 30 old and dilapidated electrical poles have been removed and replaced.
- A new power line has been extended to connect the Murcia and Alijis Substations as a contingency plan during inclement weather.
- They rehabilitated and upgraded power equipment, such as insulators, in critical areas.
- They were able to immediately respond to an “overwhelming” 200 power outages per day across Bacolod City, mostly caused by overloaded and out-of-date distribution transformers.
- They started replacing more than 5,000 defective electric meters with new units, which could help reduce system losses.
- They were able to recover backlogs in the delivery of electric bills when they took over last August. They are planning to hire more additional meter readers so that bills will be delivered on time.