National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is hoping for the resolution of a right of way (ROW) issue that has delayed the project completions following the full energization of Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) Transmission Backbone.

NGCP Assistant Vice President said that with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. having highlighted the importance of energy security during the CNP's ceremonial energization on Monday, the company was hopeful about the resolution of the ROW issue had has delayed projects as the 500-kilovolt (kV) Hermosa-San Jose (HSJ) transmission line in Luzon.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the opening of the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) 230-kV Backbone Project opened in Bacolod City on Monday, April 8, 2024. The project will bring more reliable electricity supply in Region VI and VII. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the opening of the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) 230-kV Backbone Project opened in Bacolod City on Monday, April 8, 2024. The project will bring more reliable electricity supply in Region VI and VII. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the opening of the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) 230-kV Backbone Project opened in Bacolod City on Monday, April 8, 2024. The project will bring more reliable electricity supply in Region VI and VII. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the opening of the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) 230-kV Backbone Project opened in Bacolod City on Monday, April 8, 2024. The project will bring more reliable electricity supply in Region VI and VII. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the opening of the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) 230-kV Backbone Project opened in Bacolod City on Monday, April 8, 2024. The project will bring more reliable electricity supply in Region VI and VII. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the opening of the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) 230-kV Backbone Project opened in Bacolod City on Monday, April 8, 2024. The project will bring more reliable electricity supply in Region VI and VII. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

"[W]e are very thankful that the President has highlighted the importance of energy security. Though the HSJ has been initially energized at its intended capacity, it is only [for] one line," Perez-Alabanza said.

"That is why we are hoping that the temporary restraining order (TRO) can be lifted in order to complete the second circuit, which in turn is part of the expansion [of the HSJ]," she added.

The HSJ line spans Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan.

Perez-Alabanza said that if the HSJ is not completed, there might not be enough capacity to transmit the volume of electricity to be produced by new power generation plants.

"Right now, the HSJ line is serving the current and intended requirement of electricity demand, but if we do finish its expansion, I think that by next year, the current set-up might not be enough to fully transmit the electricity needed. This is why right now, we are hoping that the TRO will be lifted soon to prevent future problems," Perez-Alabanza said.

The NGCP said in February that full completion of the HSJ transmission line had stalled due to a restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against the expropriation and construction of a portion of the HSJ on properties owned by Phirst Park Homes Inc.

The HSJ was energized in May 2023 to accommodate power generation from Bataan.

NGCP said that currently, the HSJ has a transfer capacity of 2,000 megawatts, representing only a quarter of the full 8,000 MW capacity of Lines 1 and 2 that cannot be completed because of the TRO.