THE National Power Corporation is considering a bold measure called “island operations” to save Bicol from being disconnected from the rest of the Luzon grid due to damaged transmission towers especially after typhoons.

        Island operations mean cutting off the Bicol region from the rest of the Luzon grid and providing it with dedicated power source.

        Energy Secretary Rapahel Lotilla said this was a viable and practical option for the Bicol region as it was often hit by super typhoons like last year’s Milenyo and Reming that rendered it powerless for over a month due to damaged power lines that transmit electric power from the Luzon grid.

        “Napocor is ready to do islanding operations in Bicol. We’re working with Chevron in (the Tiwi geothermal plant) to ensure that the facilities there will not be easily damaged by typhoons as in the past. It’s very important for us to work on these things,” he said.

        Napocor explained it would greatly benefit the Bicol region to be taken as a separate “island” instead of being connected to the Luzon grid as this would mean a dedicated (or concentrated) power source for the area.

        Typhoons Milenyo and Reming left the Bicol region without electricity for weeks and even months in some areas last year.

        Island operations therefore will make Bicol less prone to transmission-related power outages during the typhoon season.

        Repairs are still being conducted in Bicol, particularly on the lines and towers of the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo). These are expected to be completed by July for the Milenyo-related repairs and by December for the Reming-related repairs.

        Recently this month, six TransCo towers along the Naga-Tayabas line collapsed, plunging some parts of the region for almost two weeks before it was reported completed (see Bicol Mail, May 17, 2007).