The Philippines Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved two transmission projects of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the private concessionaire for the country’s transmission network.
These are the PHP20.65 billion, 500 kV Balaoan–Laoag transmission line and the PHP2,585 million, 230 kV Capas substation in Luzon. The Balaoan–Laoag line, which will connect La Union and Ilocos Norte, is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the grid and integrate renewable energy sources in the Ilocos Region on the island of Luzon. This project will serve as a critical backbone in the north-western part of the Luzon grid, supporting the integration of OSW, renewable energy, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as the forecasted load growth. The ERC has asked NGCP to complete the project by November 2026. NGCP had earlier stated that the project’s first stage would be completed in 57 months from approval and the second stage in 70 months. This Balaoan–Laoag line is part of NGCP’s 15 proposed grid projects aimed at ensuring reliable and efficient power supply. In November 2024, the ERC approved two major NGCP projects in Luzon – the PHP17.09 billion, 500 kV Bolo–Balaoan line and the PHP16.8 billion, 230 kV Northern Luzon loop. It also approved the PHP4.2-billion Nabas–Caticlan– Boracay project in Visayas and the PHP2.34 billion, 230 kV Laguindingan substation project in Northern Mindanao.
