How Negros Power is Using Modern Tech in their Operations
In just 12 months, Negros Power has accomplished a great deal in terms of modernization and rehabilitation. Here’s a summary.
In just a short 12 months, Negros Power has accomplished so much in terms of modernization and rehabilitation. Here's a summary.
When Negros Power took over the electricity distribution utility in Central Negros, including Bacolod City, it presented a 5-year Modernization and Development Plan. The management committed to investing P2 billion to upgrade the system and bring it up to world-class standards. After 1 year, the company has exceeded its targets in the modernization as well as in the rehabilitation side. The management, under Negros Power President and CEO Roel Z. Castro, as well as the ground crew and the linemen, are working tirelessly, including evenings and weekends, to keep its promise. They are doing all this while also troubleshooting problems and dealing with calamities such as typhoons, fires, tornadoes, floods, and even the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
Negros Power Modernization Updates (12 months)
Negros Power wants its consumers to know that, as of early September, these are what they have accomplished in terms of modernization and rehabilitation. They kept working on their 5-Year Development and Modernization Plan despite the challenges. Here are the things that they can show so far, which has led to the improvement of the electricity distribution in Central Negros.
Acquisition of Bucket Trucks
Negros Power has invested in two (2) modern bucket trucks to improve the efficiency and safety of its line crews. These vehicles allow linemen to work at elevated heights without the risks associated with climbing poles, reducing accident exposure and physical strain.
With hydraulic lifts and tool compartments, bucket trucks speed up routine maintenance, emergency repairs, and the installation of new lines or transformers. This results in faster response times and reduced service interruptions for consumers.
Substation Testing Equipment
Equipment experiences wear and tear. But sometimes, the problems are not obvious at face value. Upgrading to advanced substation testing equipment enables Negros Power to conduct more accurate diagnostics on critical components such as transformers, circuit breakers, and protective relays.
Regular and precise testing helps detect faults early, prevent failures, and extend the lifespan of high-value assets. This proactive approach minimizes unplanned outages while improving the overall reliability of the electrical grid.
Control Center and SCADA System Deployment
A modern control center equipped with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology marks a major leap in Negros Power’s operations.
SCADA allows real-time monitoring and control of substations, feeders, and distribution lines across Central Negros. Operators can quickly identify disturbances, isolate faults, and reroute power when necessary. This centralized system not only improves reliability but also lays the groundwork for smarter grid management in the future.
Real-Time GPS Response Teams Tracking System
To ensure quicker service restoration, Negros Power has implemented a GPS-based tracking system for its response teams. This system provides the control center with live locations of field personnel and service vehicles, making it possible to dispatch the nearest available crew during emergencies. This also prevents people from slacking on their jobs — the control center knows where they are!
The result is a faster, more organized, and transparent response process that benefits customers by reducing downtime during outages.
Use of Drone in the Aerial Survey, Inspection, and Thermal Scanning
Central Negros terrain is a mix of urban cities, hills, and farmland. Many power lines go through sugarcane plantation, so the engineers cannot just drive to the post and see the problem. They have to walk through plantations, sometimes muddy fields, carrying heavy tools, just to check the problem or to find the source.
The deployment of drones, particularly the DJI Matrice 30T, gives Negros Power a powerful tool for infrastructure monitoring. Drones are used to conduct aerial surveys of power lines, poles, and substations, capturing high-resolution images and thermal scans.
This technology identifies hotspots, equipment defects, and storm damage much faster and more safely than manual inspections. With drones, Negros Power enhances preventive maintenance and accelerates damage assessments after severe weather.
SCADA Controlled and Monitoring
Beyond just monitoring, Negros Power’s SCADA system enables automated control of grid operations. This makes the work so much faster and efficient.
For example, switching operations that once required manual intervention in the field can now be executed remotely from the control center. This not only shortens outage durations but also reduces operational risks for field crews.
SCADA-controlled systems represent a significant step toward automation, providing the utility with greater flexibility, efficiency, and responsiveness in managing Central Negros’ growing power demands.
This is only the first year. And there is more improvements to come from Negros Power!
