MORE Power prepares brand new facilities for Iloilo Province expansion

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Electricity consumers in the expansion areas of MORE Power should expect brand new substations, concrete poles, electrical wires, transformers, electric meters, and new vehicles.

MORE Power is now preparing to acquire and install brand new substations, concrete poles, electrical wires, transformers, electric meters, and new vehicles.

MORE Power, the sole distributor in Iloilo City, revealed its expansion plans after Republic 11918 lapsed into law on July 30, 2022.

Republic Act 11918 amends MORE Power’s original congressional franchise, RA 11212, by expanding its coverage area to 15 municipalities and one component city in Iloilo province – Pavia, Sta. Barbara, Alimodian, Leon, San Miguel, New Lucena, Zarraga, Leganes, Dumangas, Btac. Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Banate, Anilao, San Enrique and Passi City.

During the Power Utilities round table discussion initiated by the Iloilo Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) on Tuesday, MORE Power President and Chief Executive Officer Roel Castro said that the company is very much prepared for the expansion.

For one, MORE Power has already installed primary lines at the boundaries of Pavia and Iloilo City.

A new 30 megavolt-ampere (MVA) substation in Megaworld in Mandurriao district is already in the works and this will temporarily serve the power requirements of Pavia once it is activated.

MORE Power has purchased the necessary equipment and materials which will initially be used in outlining the service areas. The company also already hired additional personnel for the expansion works.

The distribution utility estimates that it will take around 5 years before it can finish the entire scope of the expansion work in the 15 towns and Passi City.

Castro said they just waiting for the official communication from Congress and Malacañang on the effectivity of RA 11918.

“We must remember nga ini isa ka kasuguan kag dapat namon ini nga tumanon insigida once nga mag take effect na sya,” says Castro.

(We must remember that it is already a law, and we must comply once it takes effect).

Castro assured that there will be no takeover of the facilities and service areas of Iloilo Electric Cooperatives (Ileco) I, II, III as they will still be operating in these areas.

According to Castro, the setup is very beneficial for the consumers because they will have a choice of the provider that can offer them quality and better service.

MORE Power remains open to discussions with the Ilecos on possible partnerships and collaboration for the benefit of the consumers.

“Mag-reach out kami sa ila. There’s a way that we can cooperate for the convenience sang consumers kag indi sila mabutang sa alang-alang,” Castro said.

(We will reach out to them. There’s a way that we can cooperate for the convenience of the consumers without compromising them at the same time.)

NEW MEGAWORLD SUBSTATION

With RA 11918 already a law and the economy gradually returning to normal, thus requiring additional capacities from the distribution utility to serve the growing demand of the city, MORE Power fast-tracked the construction of the new and state-of-the-art substation at the Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao.

“The substation will not only improve the distribution system but also add more loading capacity in the city of Iloilo and for the initial requirement of Pavia,” Castro said.

“This substation will be equipped with modern machinery and equipment adapting to the newest technology in the market today, and one of those is the 30/36 MegaVolt Amperes (MVA) ABB/Hitachi Power Transformer.”

On June 30 to July 4, 2022, the MORE Power team visited the factory of Hitachi Energy at ABB/Hitachi SPT Factory in Hanoi, Vietnam to personally witness the factory acceptance test (FAT) to ensure that all the transformer’s part specifications are within acceptable standards.

All equipment spare parts were also secured and will be included in the shipment as part of the specified agreement in the contract.

The team was composed of three engineers from MORE Power – Roy Majarucon, Project Control and Administration Manager; Filomeno Sonza Jr., Protection Manager; and Angelo Bernaldez, the Sub-transmission Line Project Supervisor.

Prefer Electrical Engineering & Supply, the main contractor that won the bidding for the 30/36 Megaworld Substation Project facilitated the factory acceptance test.

This power transformer is equipped with notable brand components like the On-load Tap Changer (OLTC).

OLTC is manufactured by MR Germany, which is considered as the “Mercedes Benz of all OLTCs.”

The power transformer’s conservator and tap changer are equipped with a “self-dehydrating breather” manufactured by COMEM Group Italy.

Unlike the conventional transformers, which use silica gel to dehydrate the conservator and tap changer tanks from moisture, this self-dehydrating equipment will continuously secure these tanks and you need not worry about site inspections and silica gel replacements.

It is also equipped with a digital interface for easy connection to smart grid applications and can be integrated into a system through a central control unit.

MORE Power also added an online Dissolve Gas Analyzer (DGA) for all gases.

During operation, gases are formed within the power transformer as a by-product of chemical reactions. These gases are analyzed and can be translated into the actual condition of the transformers.

Oil samples are typically extracted from power transformers and sent to a chemical laboratory for testing and analysis, which can take weeks.

But with the online DGA, gases are analyzed, translated, and monitored in real-time. Having this advantage, one can monitor the actual condition and life expectancy of the power transformer, thus preventing long and unscheduled outages in the future.

The 30/36MVA Power Transformer is expected to arrive in Iloilo City this August and is expected to be energized in the last quarter of this year in time for the peak season and implementation of Phase 1 of the expansion.