BUGUIAS, Benguet – The Benguet Electric Cooperative has commissioned its 10 MVA (megavolt ampere) sub-station at Barangay Amgaleyguey to assure reliable power for its consumers.
“This is timely as we prepare for the eventual upgrading of lines in northern Benguet,” said Engr. Melchor Licoben, acting general manager of Beneco, during the program.
Beneco is currently upgrading its 13.2kV (kiloVolt) power in northern Benguet to allow it to loop with 23kV in southern Benguet and Baguio City and conform the system to the other.
Licoben said for the next three years, Beneco will be able to complete connecting and looping the sub-stations in Atok, Mankayan, and Baguio City.
“This will allow one sub-station to cover for the other in case a problem occurs, assuring continued supply of power to the consumers,” Licoben said.
This is aside from providing reliable power 24 hours a day, seven days a week with appropriate voltage, he added.
Licoben also said that with the Sinipsip sub-station already commissioned, northern Benguet’s current electricity demand of about 6MV can be increased.
“In case someone puts up a business that will demand a big load of electricity, we can already provide the electricity requirement,” he said.
The three Beneco sub-stations bring to 18.75MV capacity in northern Benguet alone.
He also said commissioning of the sub-station is part of the preparation for the commissioning of the 3MW (megawatt) mini-hydropower plant of Beneco in Barangay Man-asok, targeted to finish by June 2021.
Network Services Department Manager Ramel Rifani said the Mankayan and Atok sub-stations will augment the electric needs of Tublay, Atok, Bakun, Buguias, and Mankayan.
Rifani added an annual increase in electricity demand of two to three percent is constant in the area. – PNA
