Supreme Court halts electricity line project

NATIONAL Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has been forced to halt progress on the Hermosa-San Jose 500-kV Transmission Line due to a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the court,” the NGCP said in a press statement sent to this paper on Tuesday.

The TRO specifically targets the seizure and construction activities on a segment of the power line that runs through property owned by Phirst Park Homes, Inc. (PPHI).

Following the receipt of the TRO on July 6, 2023, NGCP ceased work between Towers 170-178, putting a stop to the nearly finished power line.

Although the power line was partially activated on May 27, 2023, to start utilizing power from the Bataan region, the court’s TRO has thrown a wrench in the plans to fully complete the project. 

The line’s current operational capacity is limited to 2,000MW, which is just a fraction of its intended 8,000MW capacity.

NGCP has expressed disappointment, suggesting that PPHI’s legal challenge is a deliberate attempt to hinder the completion of the power line, despite NGCP’s efforts to resolve the matter through negotiation and proposed settlements.

Repeated attempts have been made by NGCP to come to an amicable resolution with PPHI, with discussions dating back to February. 

Despite this, NGCP has had to call upon the support of the Department of Interior and Local Government to continue with construction as PPHI consistently attempts to block progress.

NGCP has stressed to PPHI the critical nature of the Hermosa-San Jose power line, labeling it an Energy Project of National Significance due to its role in preventing widespread power outages across Luzon. 

While NGCP remains open to further negotiations, they emphasize the urgency of resuming project activities in the interest of national energy security.