Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) is now in full swing on implementing its five-year rehabilitation and modernization plan for the inherited facilities from Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco).

This, after a provisional authority for Negros Power’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity was granted by the Energy Regulatory Commission, giving the green light to manage, maintain and distribute efficient electricity in Central Negros.

Over the weekend, Negros Power immediately initiated the rehabilitation and corrective measures at Ceneco’s Reclamation and Asdez-Gonzaga Substations in Bacolod City.

These old substations are in critical condition due to high utilization levels and the need for extensive overhaul of their power transformers.

Roel Castro, Negros Power President and Chief Executive Officer, said seven out of 12 power transformers in their franchise area have exceeded the standard 25-year lifespan for optimal operation and need immediate rehabilitation.

Negros Power carried out the degassing of the power transformers and hotspot corrections of their accessories to prevent potential power failures.

“We cannot waste more time. We need to implement rehabilitation now. The aging transformers have started to show signs of deterioration, such as oil leakage, indicating a high risk of malfunctioning, like the recent incident at the Alijis substation on August 21,” Castro said.

Castro also appealed to the consumers’ understanding of the inconveniences these rehabilitation activities may cause.

“Ten to 12 hours of scheduled power interruptions are necessary to facilitate the rehabilitation and preventive maintenance works,” Castro said.

“We need your understanding and cooperation. We empathize with the inconvenience that it will cause our consumers. However, this will prevent unscheduled, longer, and wider blackouts that none of us want to experience,” he added./WDJ