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Negros Power’s ₱1.2B Upgrade Journey After Taking Over CENECO Operations
Since taking over the electricity distribution in Negros Occidental from CENECO, Roel Z. Castro, President and CEO of Negros Power, has led the company on an ambitious and impactful journey to modernize and rehabilitate the region’s power system. Under his leadership, Negros Power is tackling long-standing challenges head-on and rebuilding the province’s electric infrastructure to bring more reliable, stable, and efficient power to every household and business.
Replacement of Aging Infrastructure
One of the earliest and most critical steps was the replacement of thousands of aging electric poles and outdated electric meters, affecting service reliability. Negros Power identified approximately 50,000 meters that needed replacement, with 30,000 meters prioritized alongside the installation of elevated metering centers designed to minimize system losses. Aging poles, intermediate poles, and conductor replacements have reinforced the backbone of the electrical distribution system, reducing outages caused by equipment failure.
Rehabilitation of Key Substations
Central to the success of this rehabilitation effort is the comprehensive restoration of major substations. The Alijis Substation, a critical hub for managing electricity in the area, had experienced technical problems resulting in service interruptions before Negros Power’s takeover. Upon assuming operations, the company prioritized a full rehabilitation of this substation to restore reliability. Other major substations, such as Reclamation and Burgos, also underwent significant upgrades to improve their capacity and performance.
Integration of Advanced Technology
To increase the resilience of the power grid, Negros Power incorporated advanced technologies like polymer insulators that withstand weather conditions better than traditional ceramic types, helping to prevent outages during storms. Automated circuit reclosers were installed, allowing quick detection and isolation of electrical faults, thus reducing power downtime for consumers.
Negros Power is also moving toward further digitalization with plans to implement a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, enabling real-time network monitoring and remote operation to ensure faster response and recovery from faults.
Ongoing Commitment and Vision
These infrastructural improvements form part of a larger ₱2.1 billion five-year development plan aimed at system standardization, rehabilitation, modernization, and expansion. The first three years focus on upgrading the aging system and standardizing components, while the later years prioritize modernization projects such as underground cabling in urban centers and expanding the capacity of the network.
Negros Power’s President and CEO, Roel Z. Castro, underscores the company’s commitment to not only fixing immediate system weaknesses but to transforming the power supply landscape of Negros Occidental into one that is robust, stable, and capable of supporting regional growth for years to come.
What This Means to Negrenses
For the people and businesses in Negros Occidental, these rehabilitation activities translate into better electricity service with fewer interruptions and safer infrastructure. The enhanced system is better equipped to handle increasing demand and natural challenges such as typhoons.
This overhaul lays the groundwork for sustainable, reliable energy distribution, marking a promising step toward brighter, uninterrupted days ahead for all Negrenses.
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