Mula sa Malakanyang, pinangunahan mismo ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., ang “ceremonial energization” ng Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection ng National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.
Kasabay nito ang ceremonial switch-on ng Dumanjug Converter Station sa Cebu at Lala Converter Station sa Lanao del Norte, na sinaksihan ng mga lokal na opisyal.
Ayon sa NGCP ang proyekto ay napag-isipan noon pang termino ng yumaong Pangulong Marcos Sr., at naisakatuparan naman sa termino ni Pangulong Marcos Jr.
““NGCP is honored to operationalize this landmark energy project conceptualized during then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr.’s visionary leadership, now fully realized under the leadership and guidance of the administration of his son and namesake, Pres. FerdinandMarcos, Jr. This event marks the successful energization at full capacity of this monumental undertaking, a vision of unifying the grid proudly coming to fruition under NGCP,” ayon sa power transmission company.
Hindi na naikasa ang proyekto dahil sa napakaraming hamon dahil sa kalikasan,
Nabatid na binuhay lamang ng NGCP ang plano at pag-aaral para sa proyekto noong 2011 nang pag-aralan ang “west route” mula sa Northwestern Mindanao at tatawid sa Cebu at natapos ito noong 2015.
Inaprubahan ng Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ang naturang proyekto noong Hulyo 2017 at pinaglaanan ng P51.3 bilyong pondo.
“The MVIP, which unites the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao grids, is identified as integral to economic development through the delivery of stable power transmission services and enabling of energy resource sharing. Despite various challenges, NGCP remained committed to the completion of this project which is a testament to our dedication and commitment to fulfilling our mandate of improving, upgrading, expanding, and reinforcing the Philippine power grid,” ayon pa sa NGCP.
Ang MVIP ay binubuo ng 184 circuit-kilometer (ckm) High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) submarine transmission line na nagkokonekta sa power grids ng Mindanao at Visayas na may transfer capacity na 450MW na maaring mapalawig hanggang 900MW.
Kasama din sa proyekto ang ilang converter stations sa Visayas at Mindanao at 500ckm ng overhead lines para sa pagdaloy ng kuryente.
Naantala ang proyekto dahil sa isyu ng right-of-way, proseso sa korte, pagkuha ng permits sa mga lokal na pamahalaan, isyu sa seguridad at sa Covid 19 pandemic.
“With the DILG’s assistance, NGCP was able to secure 26 building permits from affected LGUs traversed by MVIP. We are grateful for the assistance of Sec. Benhur Abalos who extended every accommodation and went as far as appointing Asst. Sec. Odie Pasaraba who has been invaluable in our coordination with the LGUs,” banggit pa ng NGCP.