NGCP gets deadline extension for Boracay power project

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) request to move the deadline for the PHP 4.23-billion Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay Transmission Project to August 31, 2026.

In an order dated Oct. 8, 2025, under ERC Case No. 2017-093 RC, the Commission found the extension justified due to site constraints, procurement delays, and right-of-way issues.

The original project completion deadline was set for May 31, 2025, but was adjusted after the ERC reviewed NGCP’s updated timeline and project status.

According to the Commission, the revised schedule is based on a “best-case scenario” that accounts for logistical and construction-related uncertainties in Aklan and surrounding areas.

“The Commission finds that adjustment of the timeline is justified, as its completion is necessarily subject to unforeseen factors such as site workability, right-of-way acquisition, procurement processes, and other construction challenges,” the ERC stated in its order.

The transmission project is designed to enhance grid stability and power supply reliability in Aklan, Caticlan, and Boracay, three areas that are vital to the region’s economy and tourism.

As part of the project, NGCP will upgrade and manage several key assets, including the Avon-Caticlan 69 kV Line, the Caticlan Cable Terminal Station, and the Caticlan-Boracay Submarine Cable, which have now been reclassified as transmission facilities.

The ERC has also ordered NGCP to take over full operational responsibility for these assets immediately, following a recent mid-September outage that affected more than 20,000 customers of the Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO).

While granting the extension, the Commission warned that future delays will be closely monitored and may result in penalties if NGCP fails to meet the new deadline.

The ERC underscored NGCP’s legal obligation under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to ensure “reliable, secure, and continuous operation” of all transmission infrastructure.

The Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay project is part of NGCP’s broader initiative to modernize transmission systems across the Visayas and improve service to economically critical zones.