Technical Report

      The system loss slipped 0.53 percentage point at 14.43% compared to a year ago despite the aggressive efforts of the newly-created electricity theft apprehension team and various technical system loss reduction activities. The peak demand dropped 0.101 MW to 21.248 MW compared to 21.349 MW in 2004 following a relative economic slump in the region. The load factor and power factor stood at relatively steady levels compared to 2004 at 55.76% and 98%, respectively. Key reliability indices, namely, SAIFI (System Average Interruption Frequency Index), SAIDI (System Average Interruption Duration Index) and MAIFI (Momentary Average Interruption Frequency Index) were all well within the standard territory at 0.54 interruption/customer, 1.20 customer-hr and 0.17 interruption/customer, respectively.

      This generally acceptable performance proceeded from a sustained technical routine and various fronts quantified, among others, according to the following: 1) 112 poles replaced; 2) 86 busted transformers replaced; 3) 23 new transformers added; 4) 4,437 service line complaints acted; 5) 2,890 reconnections; 6) 4,453 kwh meters calibrated; 7) 440 kwh meters changed; 8) 397 stopped meters inspected; and 9) 794 kwh meters fixed with service entrance crimped.

      Major projects were implemented within the year amidst the exacting rigor of the EPIRA regime, which in its fourth year, continued to dominate the industry priorities. Through prudent allocation of the Reinvestment Fund, the programmed acquisition of a brand new 1 x 10 MVA (69kV-13.2/7.62kV) Substation boosted the total capacity to 40.5 MVA. There were ten (10) line expansion and four (4) line rehabilitation projects completed with equivalent 0.558 km primary and 4.873 kms secondary lines. With a modest budget from the same fund, the field mapping projects of the entire distribution system on-grid and off-grid (Lebak Sub-area only) were also completed in partial compliance to the manpower-and capital-intensive ERC order requiring all distribution utilities to apply for segregated system loss caps. Four (4) Wireless Current Meters (15kV) and Five (5) Electronic Voltage Recorders (600V) acquired through NEA loan, virtually provided the Line Engineers capability to evaluate any point of the system better and with ease. Subsidy funds under the national government’s massive rural electrification program afforded six (6) more barangays of fresh 23.273 kms. primary and 19.103 kms. lines.

      The highly-anticipated mediocre output for the year was understandable considering the conservative spending on related activities while awaiting the system-wide results of simulation runs on desired corrections on the system. The University of the Philippines through the National Engineering Center in partnership with the NEA provided the Coop Engineers advanced scientific tools, methodologies and computer software to segregate the system loss into technical, non-technical and administrative losses; to identify and quantify the distribution line losses, current and voltage levels at different buses; to determine the distribution transformer loading and different fault current levels at protected nodes, among others. The initial simulation run could serve as basis to inject corrections where such corrections are then subjected to subsequent simulations until the desired end results are obtained from which follow project implementation. All proposed major electric capital projects are, hence, scientifically grounded in qualified and quantified terms.