State-run National Electrification Administration (NEA) recently signed a Record of Discussions with the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) approving the “Project for Distribution Voltage Upgrade in Ilocos Norte.” The document was signed by NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong and KIAT vice president Sang Yi Park last January 22, 2018, during a simple ceremony held at the main office of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (INEC) in Ilocos Norte. Present to witness the signing were Mr. Jae Hwang Lim, president of Bosung Powertec Co.,
Ltd.; Mr. Jae Han Go, president of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO); and Mr. Reynaldo Lazo, Board president of INEC.
In a statement, NEA Administrator Masongsong expressed the agency’s full commitment for the successful implementation of the project. “This project will help meet increasing demand for electricity in the northern part of Ilocos Norte, as well as improve electric service reliability for INEC’s member-consumer-owners in the area,” Masongsong said. The two-year-long project aims to support engineering, procurement and construction of a
voltage upgrade distribution line in the country. It also seeks to contribute to the industrial cooperation and exchange of industrial technology and experts in the electrification sector between the Philippines and Korea.
To ensure its successful implementation, KIAT enlisted the help of KEPCO and Bosung to work with INEC for the construction of distribution voltage upgrade in Ilocos Norte. NEA Deputy Administrator for Technical Services Engr. Artis Nikki Tortola said the Korean government through KIAT will be spending $3 million for the project. Tortola said the project involves upgrading the Burgos Substation’s two distribution feeders voltage from 13.2kV to 22.9kV, including the installation of 10MVA 69kV/22.9kV, its necessary protection and metering. In addition, the existing line hardware and special equipment, such as automatic circuit reclosers, lightning arresters, isolation switches and transformers will be replaced to conform to the 22.9kV voltage level. ###