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DOE Facilitates Grid Upgrade in Mindoro, Enabling Full Dispatch of 16 MW Wind Power
Date published: Mar 18 2026 12:00 PM
MEDIA RELEASE
18 March 2026
DOE Facilitates Grid Upgrade in Mindoro, Enabling Full Dispatch of 16 MW Wind Power
The Department of Energy (DOE), together with key power sector stakeholders, successfully facilitated the installation of three Current Transformer (CT) at Bay 1 of the Calangatan Switching Station in Oriental Mindoro. The completed works now enable the full dispatch of wind power from the island’s largest renewable energy facility.
The installation and commissioning were carried out in collaboration with the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), led by President and Chief Executive Officer Fortunato “Atoy” C. Leynes, the National Power Corporation (NPC/NAPOCOR), led by President and Chief Executive Officer Jericho Jonas B. Nograles, PHESI, Ormin Power Inc., and the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO).
The upgrade addressed a key limitation at the Calangatan Switching Station, which had previously restricted the amount of electricity that could be delivered to the Mindoro grid. The issue was identified through the DOE’s continuous monitoring and site visits in Mindoro, where renewable energy generation was observed to be curtailed during periods of strong wind due to equipment limitations at the switching station.
This constraint affected the dispatch of the 16.530 MW Wind Energy Power Facility (WEPF) operated by PHESI, where a portion of available wind generation could not be fully delivered to the grid despite favorable wind conditions.
Following the successful replacement, testing and commissioning of the upgraded current transformer, the system can now accommodate the full dispatch of approximately 16 MW of wind power from the PHESI facility, significantly improving the utilization of renewable energy in the Mindoro Island grid.
PHESI also operates a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that helps manage short-term fluctuations in wind generation and support stable power delivery to the grid. With the commissioning of the upgraded current transformer, the wind facility, together with its BESS support, is now able to deliver the full available wind generation to the Mindoro grid.
The improvement is expected to bring several benefits to electricity consumers in Oriental Mindoro, including:
- Full utilization of available wind energy, reducing unnecessary curtailment of renewable generation
- More reliable electricity supply for consumers served by ORMECO
- Reduced reliance on higher-cost conventional generation, particularly during periods of strong wind availability
The DOE continues to work closely with TransCo, NPC/NAPOCOR, ORMECO, PHESI, and other stakeholders to address operational challenges in the Mindoro grid and support the reliable integration of renewable energy in island power systems.
Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin underscored the importance of strengthening grid infrastructure to support the country’s renewable energy transition.
“Resolving grid constraints and improving system readiness are essential steps in enabling renewable energy projects to operate efficiently and contribute more meaningfully to the country’s energy supply,” Secretary Garin said.
She added that the successful commissioning of the Calangatan facility demonstrates how open communication and strong collaboration among government agencies, transmission operators, electric cooperatives, and private sector partners can produce practical solutions that benefit electricity consumers and support the country’s clean energy goals.
The DOE remains committed to working with stakeholders to strengthen the reliability of island grids while advancing the country’s transition toward a more sustainable and secure energy future. ###