MVIP is now fully operational — NGCP

MANILA, Philippines — The Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) is now fully operational, said the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on Friday.

In a simultaneous ceremonial switch-on in Manila, Cebu, and Lanao del Norte, the NGCP said that the Philippine grid is now united. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. lead the ceremony in Malacañan Palace.

“After a much-extended wait, I am pleased to finally see the energization of the 450-megawatt MVIP. It is the first time in the history of our nation that the three major power grids, those of: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—are now physically connected,” said Marcos in his speech.

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According to the President, there is a 184-circuit-kilometer High-Voltage Direct Current submarine cable connecting the Mindanao and Visayas grids.

“This infrastructure allows power generated in Mindanao to supply our homes and establishments in Visayas and now all the way to Luzon, and vice versa. Indeed, this interconnection will unlock enormous socio-economic development potential for both Visayas and Mindanao,” said Marcos.

According to the NGCP, efforts to establish this connection began in the 1980s but were abandoned due to difficulties.

Efforts to revive the connection began in 2011 when the NGCP began studying its viability.

“The MVIP, which unites the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao grids, is identified as integral to economic development through the delivery of stable power transmission services and enabling of energy resource sharing,” said the MVIP.