The transmission line that would connect the power barge in Tapal, Ubay and a substation in the same town is expected to be completed in September, said an official of the Bohol Electric Cooperative II.

According BOHECO II general manager Eugene Tan, the completion of the interconnection would slightly be delayed due to the lack of right of way along lands where the transmission line would cut across.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) had previously bared that connecting the barge to the substation would take about 15 days.

However, negotiations to secure right of way are still ongoing.

The NGCP has already sought the assistance of the Ubay local government unit in a bid to expedite arrangements for the power lines.

According to NGCP Visayas spokesperson Betty Martinez, they are ready to build the transmission lines and can start operations once right of way is acquired.

Equipment are on hand and there is enough manpower to carry out the construction, she said.

Meanwhile, Tan noted that BOHECO II will be assisting the NGCP in establishing the transmission line between the barge and the substation.

Salcon Power Corp.’s Power Barge 104 arrived at Tapal Wharf from General Santos City at dawn on August 16.

The 4,000-ton facility can generate up to 26 megawatts once it is operational and will be providing supplemental and emergency power to Bohol.

According to Gov. Edgar Chatto, SPC will be paid only for its power barge’s usage and not the facility’s stay in waters off Bohol.

“For as long as we need the barge, the SPC assured that they will stay under the principle of rate of use,” Chatto said.

“This will be until 2022 or 2021 when the interconnection between Cebu and Bohol is completed,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority has assured Chatto that the vessels catered to by the Tapal Wharf will still be able to dock properly in the pier.

The PPA is also preparing the power barge’s permanent mooring site in Catagbacan Loon.

Catagbacan Port is still being retrofitted with parts to accommodate the power facility and is expected to be completed in December. (RT)