BACOLOD City – The Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) has announced plans to upgrade its 69-kilovolt (kV) sub-transmission line and develop additional substations to bolster power reliability and meet the growing electricity demand within its franchise area.
During a media briefing on March 12, at the company’s office in Barangay Bata, Engr. Joe-Mel Zaporteza, vice president and chief operating officer of Negros Power, outlined the key infrastructure projects slated for the year.
Zaporteza confirmed that the utility is set to develop two additional facilities: the Capitol Substation, targeted for completion by the end of 2026, and the Megaworld Substation, which is expected to be operational by early 2027.
Negros Power began operations in August 2024, taking over the distribution system from the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) through a joint venture agreement. The company has been operating the distribution network for about 19 months already.
The Negros Power official said they have undertaken major rehabilitation and upgrades across the distribution network. In 2025 alone, the company invested at least P1.3 billion to modernize and improve its facilities.
According to Zaporteza, these investments have significantly improved utility’s performance indicators.
“Our major metrics or performance indicators in terms of network performance have drastically improved, particularly the System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI),” Zaporteza said. “We were able to improve it by 38 percent because of the rehabilitation work we conducted in 2025.”
He added that the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) improved by 67 percent, meaning power outages are now significantly shorter for consumers.
“With these improvements, interruptions felt by consumers are now shorter compared to before,” Zaporteza said.
Negros Power also noted a steady rise in electricity consumption across its franchise area, including Bacolod City. Average energy sales have grown by nearly seven percent annually since 2023.
The increase in consumption, Zaporteza explained, has led to higher utilization of the power distribution network, prompting the need to upgrade existing infrastructure and expand capacity.
“After 19 months of operation, we have reached a point where we need to upgrade our 69kV sub-transmission line and develop new substations to support the continued growth of Bacolod City and the entire franchise area,” Zaporteza said.
When Negros Power took over operations in 2024, it presented a five-year development plan with a capital expenditure of P2 billion aimed at upgrading facilities previously operated by CENECO.
The company said it has already completed 39 percent of the projects outlined under its five-year development program.
Zaporteza emphasized that the planned upgrade of the 69kV sub-transmission is expected to modernize key infrastructure, ensure more efficient electricity flow, reduce voltage fluctuations, and increase the overall capacity of the power grid.
The project is expected to support rising demand while providing a more stable and dependable electricity supply for households, businesses, and communities across the Negros Power franchise area./PN
