Eastern Samar Solon Pushes for Stronger Power Transmission System, Seeks Gov't Support

Eastern Samar’s lone district Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales is pushing for major upgrades to the province’s power transmission system, stating that stronger infrastructure is needed to address recurring low-voltage conditions, load curtailments, and high electricity costs affecting consumers. In a statement Tuesday, Gonzales sought clarification and support from the Department of Energy (DOE) on priority transmission projects that he said could improve the reliability and stability of electricity supply in Eastern Samar. Among the projects being pursued are the 69-kilovolt (kV) sub-transmission line in Guiuan and a proposed 138-kV transmission line in northern Eastern Samar, which Gonzales is working on in coordination with House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan. The projects are expected to strengthen the province’s transmission capacity and provide a more stable electricity network, particularly as power demand continues to grow. Gonzales also raised concerns over the Line Loss Congestion Cost (LLCC) imposed through the Philippine Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and the ancillary service charges associated with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), which are passed on to Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (Esamelco) and ultimately reflected in consumers’ electricity bills. He said that while such charges are permitted under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and subject to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) rules, consumers deserve greater transparency on how these costs are calculated, collected, and allocated. The concern comes as consumers in the province continue to experience power supply problems, including low-voltage conditions and load curtailments caused by insufficient generation or power system limitations. Load curtailment refers to the deliberate reduction or interruption of electricity supply when available generation is insufficient to meet demand. Low-voltage conditions, meanwhile, can affect the performance of appliances, equipment and businesses and may indicate limitations in the distribution or transmission system. Gonzales said improving the transmission network is essential not only to provide more reliable electricity to households but also to support businesses, industries and other economic activities in the province. He said he would continue coordinating with the DOE, NGCP, Esamelco, other power industry stakeholders and fellow lawmakers to advance the proposed transmission projects and address concerns over electricity charges. Gonzales expressed optimism that implementing priority power infrastructure projects would eventually provide Eastern Samar with a more stable and sufficient electricity supply while helping address concerns over the cost of power. “The goal is to ensure that every family and business in Eastern Samar can rely on a stable and dependable power supply,” Gonzales said.