Power back in Boracay after two-day blackout

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By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Electricity was fully restored to Boracay Island and nearby towns on Monday afternoon, Sept. 15, following a two-day blackout caused by damaged underground cables near Caticlan Airport.

The Aklan Electric Cooperative Inc. (AKELCO) reported that all feeders of its Caticlan Substation were energized at 2:42 p.m., followed by the Boracay Substation’s feeders between 2:46 p.m. and 2:53 p.m.

Restoration work was briefly paused on Sunday night due to high tide, allowing crews to follow necessary safety protocols.

On Monday morning, AKELCO installed concrete anchors to stabilize a newly erected pole for the 69-kilovolt bypass transmission line after the pole was displaced by rising tides.

“Safety guided every call we made, including last night’s brief pause during high tide,” said Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon S. Garin.

“Power is restored, and our teams remain on site to stabilize the system and complete permanent repairs.”

The blackout began on Saturday, Sept. 13, when the Nabas–Unidos 69 kV line tripped, cutting off power to Boracay, Malay, and Buruanga.

Initial investigations revealed arcing in the sub-transmission cables, followed by findings of moisture intrusion and leakage in the underground system.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and AKELCO traced the fault to cables located beneath the Caticlan Airport arrival area.

To fast-track restoration, NGCP and AKELCO deployed eight teams to install an 800-meter, 69 kV bypass transmission line along the airport’s runway perimeter.

DOE said more than 20 new electric poles and fresh distribution lines were installed to help restore power to the island.

Permanent repairs to the damaged underground cables are now underway.

NGCP is also expediting completion of the Nabas–Caticlan–Boracay Transmission Line Project, which the Energy Regulatory Commission has ordered finished within the year.

The project’s key components include:

• Construction of a 2-kilometer, 138 kV single-circuit submarine cable from the Caticlan cable terminal station to Boracay.
• Installation of an 8-kilometer, 138 kV single-circuit underground cable and a 1-kilometer, 69 kV single-circuit underground cable.
• Construction of a 14-kilometer, 138 kV overhead transmission line from Nabas to Caticlan.
• Development of a 138/69 kV Boracay substation and expansion of the existing 138/69 kV Nabas substation.

The project aims to replace and reinforce the existing 69 kV Nabas–Caticlan–Boracay line to provide a more stable and reliable power supply, especially amid Boracay’s tourism-driven economic growth.