CITY’S POWER GETS BOOST: MORE energizes new 30/36 MVA Megaworld Substation

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MORE Power, Iloilo City’s electric distribution utility, has announced the energization of the 30/36 MVA New Megaworld Substation, located in the heart of the Iloilo Business Park, on March 5, 2023. The substation is the first permanent substation project of MORE Power since taking over operations in February 2020, and it is set to significantly boost Iloilo city’s power capacity and reliability, making it more attractive to potential investors.

According to Roel Castro, MORE Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer, the completion of the New Megaworld Substation is a breakthrough for the company and the city. He noted that the substation features a state-of-the-art system and is strategically located to support the growing demand for electricity in Iloilo City.

Equipped with modern machinery and technology, the 30/36 MegaVolt Amperes (MVA) substation’s Power Transformer is from ABB/Hitachi, the power technology leader. This comes with an On-load Tap Changer manufactured by Reinhausen, a global leader in power technology systems based in Germany. It also features a “self-dehydrating breather” by COMEM Group Italy. The power transformer also has a digital interface for easy connection to smart grid applications and online Dissolved Gas Analyzer (DGA) for all gases, enabling real-time monitoring of its actual condition and life expectancy.

Additionally, the substation is equipped with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and automation features, enabling remote controlled operation from MORE Power’s Control Center. The substation’s protection features include a transformer differential protection that protects the power transformer from external and internal faults and modernized overcurrent protection relays that are properly coordinated with other line protection devices for a more robust and reliable supply of power.

The 30/36 MVA New Megaworld Substation is ready to support the development of Iloilo Business Park and nearby districts, such as Ayala Atria Estate, SM Complex, and the Mandurriao residential district. It features two incoming lines from Molo and Mandurriao, ensuring reliability and providing backup in case one line fails.

With the substation now operational, the business park and its surrounding areas will have a more stable and reliable power supply, making it an ideal location for businesses looking to invest in Iloilo city.

“The energization of the substation marks a significant milestone for MORE Power, in fulfilling its mandate of providing reliable and cost-efficient electric power distribution service to Iloilo City. We are fully committed to the upgrading of the power infrastructures here to meet the needs of our customers and support the economic growth of the city,” Castro emphasized.

With the completion of the New Megaworld Substation, MORE Power is confident that it can provide a more stable and reliable power supply to its customers in Iloilo City. The company is one with the city in ensuring that this project will not only benefit existing businesses in the city but also attract new investors in one of the country’s fastest-growing economic zones.

MORE Power worked in partnership with Megaworld Corporation, which allowed the use of their property as the substation site. Despite the property’s compact area, MORE Power’s engineers were able to fit everything without sacrificing the substation’s operation, safety, and reliability. To preserve the aesthetics of Iloilo Business Park and protect the substation from outside elements, the substation is enclosed by a five-meter tall perimeter fence and louvers at the top.

With the energization of the 30/36 MVA New Megaworld Substation, Iloilo City is well-positioned to accommodate future investments and developments.

This project is a testament to MORE Power’s commitment to providing world-class power distribution services to Iloilo City. With the company’s ongoing upgrading and rehabilitation of electric power infrastructures, the city can look forward to a brighter future and a more robust economy.