50% Spared from Blackout, Thanks to Negros Power

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50%Spared from Blackout: Negros Power Stops Major Outage Impact

Keeping Bacolod Bright Despite Grid Maintenance

When the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) carried out its scheduled maintenance on October 25, 2025, thousands of households in Bacolod and nearby Murcia prepared for a full-day power interruption. The 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. activity, which involved work on the Bacolod–Alijis 69kV line, was expected to affect nearly 94,000 consumers.

Yet to the relief of many, the lights stayed on. Through quick planning and smart energy management, Negros Power successfully prevented almost half of the affected areas from losing power during the shutdown — a move that demonstrated how far the company’s modernization efforts have come.

Smart System, Strategic Response

Negros Power’s Murcia and Alijis substations were the main facilities affected by NGCP’s maintenance. But through the company’s advanced load transfer and redundancy system, engineers managed to reroute electricity and keep power flowing in several parts of Bacolod.

The result was impressive — instead of 93,994 customers losing power, only 47,102 consumers experienced the scheduled interruption.

This level of operational control reflects how much Negros Power’s infrastructure has evolved. The company’s ongoing system upgrades have made it possible to isolate maintenance work, redirect energy flow, and maintain supply in critical areas.

“We maximized our redundant lines and load break switches to tie the affected feeders to other substations,” shared Engr. Leomel Tambanillo, Assistant Vice President for Planning and Business Operations. “That’s how we were able to keep the lights on for almost half of our consumers.”

Using Downtime Wisely

While NGCP engineers were performing their maintenance tasks, Negros Power teams were also at work. The company maximized the downtime by performing internal network upgrades and facility checks, a practice that minimizes the need for future interruptions.

This approach is part of the company’s broader modernization framework — ensuring that every external shutdown becomes an opportunity for internal improvement.

Negros Power officials explained that this strategy not only enhances efficiency but also allows the utility to perform preventive maintenance, reducing the frequency of unplanned outages in the long run.

Powering a Modern and Reliable Central Negros

Negros Power’s investments in technology and infrastructure are producing measurable results. The company reports a 70% reduction in unexpected power interruptions, thanks to system automation, better redundancy, and a more intelligent network design.

These developments are part of a five-year modernization plan designed to build a smarter, stronger, and more reliable power distribution system across Central Negros. The long-term goal: a network capable of maintaining stability even under major grid activities.

Consumers Benefit First

For Negros Power, every upgrade begins and ends with its consumers. The company emphasized that all modernization initiatives — from substations to switching systems — are focused on ensuring that homes, schools, and businesses enjoy consistent and dependable electricity.

“Our consumers deserve reliable power,” said Tambanillo. “Every improvement we make is aimed at giving them the kind of service that supports their daily lives.”

A Glimpse of a Brighter Future

What could have been a day-long inconvenience became a success story of foresight and innovation. Negros Power’s ability to cut the impact of a major power interruption in half proves that modernization is not just a technical upgrade — it’s a commitment to public service.

The recent NGCP maintenance became more than a scheduled event; it became evidence that Central Negros is now better prepared, more resilient, and ready for the future — one where the lights stay on when it matters most.

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50% Spared from Blackout, Thanks to Negros Power

50%Spared from Blackout: Negros Power Stops Major Outage Impact