Mindoro: The 16,530-megawatt Wind Energy Power Facility (WEPF) in Oriental Mindoro is now fully utilized after the installation of three current transformers at Bay 1 of the Calangatan Switching Station. In a news release Wednesday, the Department of Energy (DOE) indicated that the facility's capacity was previously underutilized due to issues at the switching station.

According to Philippines News Agency, renewable energy generation had been curtailed during periods of strong wind due to equipment limitations at the switching station. Following the successful replacement, testing, and commissioning of the upgraded current transformer, the system can now accommodate the full dispatch of approximately 16 MW of wind power from the Philippines Hybrid Energy Systems, Inc. (PHESI) facility. This significantly improves the utilization of renewable energy in the Mindoro Island grid.

The DOE also noted that PHESI operates a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to manage short-term fluctuations in wind generation and support stable power delivery to the grid. With the commissioning of the upgraded current transformer, the wind facility, along with its BESS support, is now able to deliver the full available wind generation to the Mindoro grid.

DOE Secretary Sharon Garin highlighted the importance of resolving grid constraints and improving system readiness as essential steps for enabling renewable energy projects to operate efficiently and contribute more meaningfully to the country's energy supply.

The installation of the CTs was a collaborative effort by the National Transmission Corporation, the National Power Corporation, PHESI, Ormin Power Inc., and the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative.