NGCP takes over AKELCO line, fast-tracks power restoration

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has officially taken over the Caticlan–Unidos 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from the Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO), following an order by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

The move, announced Dec. 19, aims to immediately address operational failures and restore a reliable power supply to affected areas in Aklan.

The 69kV line, previously managed by AKELCO, has long faced recurring outages — most recently from severe corrosion caused by water wave splash and salt spray near Caticlan Airport.

To mitigate further disruptions, the NGCP constructed a revised bypass line away from the seashore, set to be energized by the end of December.

“We fully recognize the challenges associated with the condition of the inherited asset, underscored by the brownouts experienced earlier this month,” the NGCP said in a statement.

“With the line now under NGCP, we are mobilizing our full technical and financial resources to implement immediate, medium-term, and long-term solutions. Our teams are working around the clock to ensure reliable power for the province”.

A full reconductoring of the affected transmission segment is underway.

Due to AKELCO’s lack of spare materials, NGCP has procured the necessary equipment and is targeting completion of the work by March 2026.

The transition stems from an ERC decision in November 2024, which reclassified the Caticlan–Unidos 69kV line from a sub-transmission asset to a transmission facility.

The directive became urgent after the line was damaged in September and AKELCO admitted its inability to finance needed repairs during a Department of Energy (DOE) meeting involving all stakeholders.

This prompted the ERC to order NGCP in October to take over the line to ensure continued electricity service in the province.

NGCP had raised concerns earlier in January 2025, citing visible corrosion along its own Nabas–Caticlan portion of the facility and alerting AKELCO.

Preventive maintenance was conducted on NGCP’s assets even before the formal turnover.

A Joint Due Diligence Inspection was held in October 2025 by NGCP, AKELCO, and the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), which led to the signing of a Certificate of Turnover on Nov. 21.

The NGCP, however, has yet to issue a Certificate of Acceptance, citing unresolved issues such as deteriorating poles and missing right-of-way documents.

Power interruptions earlier this December further highlighted the infrastructure’s vulnerability, underscoring the need for urgent upgrades.

Meanwhile, the NGCP is also accelerating the completion of its Nabas–Caticlan–Boracay 138kV transmission line project.

Started in 2019, the new line is expected to provide an alternative loop to stabilize electricity in the area.

It is scheduled for completion by August 2026, with delays deemed reasonable by the ERC due to external factors.