MANILA — Mindoro Island could soon receive a major electricity boost as the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) plans to build a P23.9-billion submarine cable linking Batangas to Oriental Mindoro.
The 28.5-kilometer cable, crossing the Verde Island Passage between Lobo and Calapan City, will carry 500 kilovolts (kV) of power. Six operational cables plus one spare will be installed two meters below shallow waters to ensure a stable connection.
This initiative marks Stage 1 of the P90.6-billion Batangas-Mindoro 500-kV Interconnection and Backbone Project (BMIBP), scheduled for completion in January 2028, while the full project is expected by 2030. Mindoro currently depends on diesel-powered generators, which are costly and unreliable.
“The island will gain access to consistent power from Luzon, reduce reliance on diesel, and open the door for renewable energy projects,” NGCP said.
The environmental impact assessment will start with a public scoping session on March 25, allowing the community and stakeholders to give input. NGCP operates under a 50-year franchise, giving it authority to manage and expand the national grid as needed.
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