“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
Few moons ago, MORE Power, Metro Iloilo’s power distribution utility, powered up its just-rehabilitated Molo Substation. The three-month and P60 million rehabilitation was a significant step in its five-year development plan to enhance power infrastructure across the city. In partnership with EEI Power Corporation, the upgrade zeroed in on modernizing the substation’s ageing systems to improve reliability and efficiency.
After 23 years of equipment malfunctions and service without notable maintenance, Molo Substation is now in tiptop condition after undergoing major repairs, which included replacing obsolete switchgear, control systems, and other key components. It resulted in a facility that is both more robust and automated. For MORE Power, these much-needed upgrades are timely. It is to meet Metro Iloilo’s “growing energy demands driven by residential and commercial expansion in the Molo area.”
“We are thrilled to bring this newly upgraded facility online, as it represents a core element of our mission to provide Iloilo City with a stable, efficient, and future-ready electricity supply,” said ROEL Z. CASTRO, President and CEO of MORE Power.
According to MORE, the new 25/30 MVA Molo substation utilizes advanced technology, such as gas-insulated switchgear and smart monitoring systems, thus, making it one of the most modern power facilities in the region. It has an innovative in-out system configuration was also “to minimize the risk of power outages, especially during peak demand periods.” This state-of-the-art technology allows “for quick rerouting of electricity if a fault is detected on any transmission line segment.” The substation is also integrated with MORE Power’s SCADA system, making it the first of its kind among distribution utilities in Panay and one of the few in the Philippines. It enables real-time monitoring and control over power distribution.
“As a result, any power interruption will be minimized, greatly enhancing service reliability for both residential and commercial customers. The integration of this modern substation into Iloilo City’s power system also allows for smarter load management, ensuring that MORE Power can swiftly respond to fluctuations in demand,” the MORE Power top honcho added.
For uninterrupted power supply and service while the Molo Substation underwent rehabilitation, a 30/36 MVA mobile substation was deployed. Now that the Molo Substation is up and running in toppity top condition, the mobile unit was moved to the Mandurriao Substation, whose own upgrade began last month.
Part of MORE Power’s ongoing five-year development plan, the Molo Substation upgrade aims to strengthen Iloilo City’s power infrastructure. With this, MORE Power plans to transfer sooner than soon a significant portion of the Molo Substation’s load to the newly constructed Arevalo Substation. It is to boost the “reliability of the city’s power distribution network.”
According to a MORE Power insider, “This transition is a vital step in our mission to enhance power distribution throughout Iloilo City, ultimately improving the daily lives and business operations of our consumers.”
These continuing upgrades bolster MORE Power’s commitment to “supporting Iloilo City’s growth and improving the quality of life for its residents.” The Molo Substation, with all its upgrades, “not only ensures more efficient power management but also enables a quicker response to changing energy demands, ensuring a reliable electricity supply for the city’s growing population and business community.”