Alternergy’s 128-megawatt (MW) wind power project in Tanay, Rizal has received the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission, boosting capacity in the Luzon grid.

In a statement Wednesday, Alternergy Tanay Wind Corporation (ATWC), a subsidiary of publicly-listed Alternergy Holdings Corporation (ALTER), said it has been authorized “to develop and own a dedicated point-to-point transmission facility.”

The approval allowed the construction of two double circuit, 500 kV transmission lines and a 500 kV switchyard with a 1 x150 MVA transformer, worth around PHP2.8 billion.

It also covered ATWC’s “unique two-stage interconnection scheme comprising of an interim and a final connection.”

“As an interim connection scheme, the ERC approved a bus-in connection to the existing 500 kV San Jose-Tayabas transmission backbone of the Luzon Grid, pending completion of the proposed Baras 500 kV Substation of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), which is the final connection scheme,” the statement said.

“This is an innovative interconnection scheme that enables our Tanay Wind Power Project to meet its commitment under the Administration’s Green Energy Auction 2 (GEA 2),” ATWC president Gerry Magbanua said.

“We are thankful to NGCP for its collaboration in ensuring our timely dispatch of green power to the grid while awaiting the final connection scheme.”

This approval follows ERC’s approval of Alternergy’s Alabat Wind Power project in Quezon province earlier this month.

“With NGCP and ERC’s support, our interconnection schemes for our Tanay and Alabat Wind Power Projects demonstrate Alternergy’s capability to design innovative solutions to critical transmission access for renewable energy infrastructure,” Magbanua added