Manila: Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) is upgrading its 69 kilovolt (kV) sub-transmission lines and constructing two more substations to meet the growing electricity demand in this highly urbanized city and its five adjacent localities. The sub-transmission line rehabilitation projects, comprising four segments set to be completed in six months, and the additional substations totaling about PHP630 million were announced by vice president and chief operating officer Joe-Mel Zaporteza in a press conference at the firm's headquarters here Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, after 19 months of operation, Negros Power has reached a point where upgrading the 69 kV lines and developing new substations has become essential to support the Bacolod City area and, in general, the whole franchise area of Negros Power. The four projects include the 2.4-km New Capitol 69kV line that will come from the existing Gonzaga Substation, the 0.7-kilometer (km) connection between the New Megaworld 69kV line and Gonzaga Substation, the 1.6-km New Megaworld 69kV line connection, and the rehabilitation of the Bacolod-Bata 69kV line.

The rehabilitation of the Bacolod-Bata 69kV line will cost about PHP130 million, while each substation is valued between PHP200 million and PHP250 million. This investment is part of a five-year plan, with PHP1.3 billion already invested in the first year for enhanced infrastructure reliability. The Capitol Substation along San Juan Street is expected to be operational by the end of the year, while the Megaworld Substation within The Upper East township is planned to operate in early 2027.

The addition of these two substations will increase Negros Power's total number of substations to 13 by the first half of 2027. Multiple line works started on March 8 to prepare Negros Power's network for rehabilitation. Negros Power serves consumers not only in Bacolod but also in the cities of Bago, Talisay, and Silay, as well as the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto.