A smarter grid starts with smarter substations. Amid rising electricity demand and ongoing grid modernization across the Philippines, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is advancing its Visayas Substation Upgrading Project to strengthen transmission resilience and operational efficiency. As a key initiative under this program, CHINT is delivering the Panitan 138kV Substation as an integrated EPC turnkey contractor, marking CHINT’s first smart substation project with the Philippines’ national transmission grid operator.
The project transforms the substation’s existing air-insulated switchgear (AIS) infrastructure into an intelligent gas-insulated switchgear (GIS)-based facility, upgrading a core transmission node in Capiz, Visayas to support the region’s long-term power development.
Full-Scope EPC Turnkey Delivery
CHINT provides a comprehensive end-to-end EPC solution covering the full project lifecycle, including engineering, equipment supply, civil and structural works, installation, commissioning, communication systems, secondary protection and control, mechanical systems, and full HSE management.
Key equipment and systems supplied by CHINT include 138kV GIS, 69kV GIS, disconnect and earthing switches, shunt reactors, CT/VT, surge arresters, AC/DC auxiliary power supply systems, as well as intelligent protection, control and communication platforms.
The upgrade is implemented in two sequenced phases to minimize operational disruption:
- Phase I: Focuses on replacement of the 138/69kV 100MVA power transformer and supporting primary equipment upgrades, with existing secondary equipment retained and cables re-terminated to reduce reconstruction costs and outage impact.
- Phase II: Delivers full AIS-to-GIS reconstruction, a new 5-storey GIS building, 12 new 138kV and 69kV GIS bays, and station-wide deployment of intelligent secondary systems.
Navigating Brownfield Upgrade Challenges
As a brownfield upgrade executed entirely within an active operating substation, the project demands rigorous planning and precision execution to maintain grid reliability throughout construction. CHINT addresses core challenges through targeted engineering and on-site management:
- Meticulous outage scheduling and temporary power arrangements to enable safe construction on a live substation
- Seamless AIS-to-GIS transition within constrained site space, coordinating large-scale demolition, civil works and GIS equipment integration
- Phased smart system migration from conventional control architectures to intelligent protection, SCADA and communication platforms, with coordinated protection settings across new and legacy equipment
- Coordinated grid connection modifications and line-by-line equipment upgrades to preserve transmission stability and avoid service disruption
Driving Value for Philippine Grid Modernization
Through integrated EPC delivery and advanced GIS-based smart substation solutions, CHINT is helping NGCP unlock measurable benefits for the Visayas transmission network:
- Enhanced grid reliability: Upgraded critical substation infrastructure significantly improves system stability and operational reliability for the region
- Smart substation transformation: The upgrade enables the shift from traditional substation management to an intelligent, digitalized protection, control and monitoring platform
- Product & technology breakthrough: The project marks the first application of CHINT’s 138kV and 69kV GIS equipment for NGCP, validating CHINT’s high-voltage product capabilities in the Philippine market
- Streamlined turnkey delivery: CHINT’s single-source EPC model reduces interface risks, improves delivery efficiency and ensures end-to-end project accountability
- Strengthened strategic partnership: As CHINT’s first smart substation EPC project for NGCP, the initiative deepens bilateral cooperation and lays the groundwork for future collaboration on Philippine grid modernization
Moving forward, CHINT will continue to leverage its full industry chain advantages and smart grid expertise to support the development of smarter, more resilient power infrastructure across the Philippines, and contribute to the country’s sustainable energy transition.
