How MORE Power’s spare transformer saved Bacolod’s MassKara lights

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) energized a replacement transformer at its Asdes Gonzaga Substation 12 days after the aging unit failed, with emergency assistance from Primelectric Holdings Inc. and MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power).

The company said the new Hitachi Energy transformer was energized at 5:17 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2026. The milestone restores substation capacity and strengthens power distribution reliability, helping protect electricity service for an estimated 20,000 consumers.

The timing matters for public welfare. Bacolod City and nearby communities were in the MassKara Festival season, when households, businesses, tourism establishments, and festival activities all depend on steady electricity.

SWIFT ACTION

The emergency began on Oct. 3, when the transformer at the Asdes Gonzaga Substation tripped and then failed.

The 37.5-megavolt-ampere (MVA) unit was manufactured in 2006 and installed in 2007, putting it at nearly 20 years of service. A megavolt-ampere is a common measure of a transformer’s capacity.

Before the failure, Negros Power had been closely monitoring the aging equipment and carrying out maintenance, including oil degassing, to keep it operating.

Earlier Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) results had also shown rising levels of dissolved gases in the transformer oil. DGA is a standard test for detecting internal faults in oil-filled transformers.

Those readings suggested developing internal problems that called for continued monitoring and contingency planning, and Negros Power had prepared for the possibility of failure.

Still, the incident underscored the urgency of securing a replacement to prevent a more serious substation emergency and limit the impact on thousands of consumers.

As an immediate contingency measure, Negros Power transferred all loads previously served by the Asdes Gonzaga Substation to the Mt. View and Alijis substations. The move kept electricity flowing while arrangements for a replacement transformer were underway.

CRITICAL ASSISTANCE

The replacement transformer came from MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power), which had bought two units for planned expansion projects at its Megaworld TR2 and General Hughes substations.

Recognizing the urgency, MORE Power made one of the newly acquired transformers available for the Asdes Gonzaga Substation. It put the restoration of critical infrastructure ahead of its original expansion schedule.

Primelectric Holdings Inc. and MORE Power coordinated the emergency assistance, which the companies said helped avert a potentially serious power infrastructure crisis at the substation.

The replacement unit was manufactured by Hitachi Energy at its transformer facility in Bac Ninh, Vietnam. It has a rated capacity of 30/36 MVA and a voltage rating of 69/13.8 kV, meaning it steps voltage down from 69,000 volts to 13,800 volts for distribution.

Negros Power President and CEO Roel Z. Castro stressed the importance of cooperation among distribution utilities in responding to urgent operational challenges.

“Our priority has always been to provide reliable power to our customers. In this situation, making the transformer available to Negros Power was the right thing to do because it can help address an immediate need and minimize the impact of the failed equipment on consumers,” Castro said.

The company said coordination within the Primelectric group, together with support from MORE Power, accelerated the replacement at a critical time for Negros Power and its customers.

ENERGIZED IN JUST 12 DAYS

From the transformer failure on Oct. 3 to its successful energization on Oct. 15, the emergency replacement took only 12 days.

The new unit’s arrival and energization marked a major step toward restoring the Asdes Gonzaga Substation’s operational capability and strengthening the reliability of the distribution network.

The speed was especially important during the MassKara Festival season, when Bacolod City welcomed visitors and hosted numerous activities that depend on dependable electricity.

By prioritizing the replacement, Negros Power and its partners worked to reduce the risk of prolonged service disruptions affecting an estimated 20,000 consumers.

The company said the episode also highlights the importance of proactive equipment monitoring, contingency planning, and cooperation among utilities in managing critical power infrastructure.

With the transformer energized, Negros Power said it continues to pursue its commitment to safe, reliable, and resilient electricity service for Central Negros. It added that the timely help from Primelectric and MORE Power underscores the value of coordinated action in protecting consumers.