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DOE, ERC, TransCo, NGCP Inspect ₱5.27-B Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay Transmission Project; Completion Reaches 93.16%
Date published: Apr 16 2026 07:00 PM
MEDIA RELEASE
16 April 2026
DOE, ERC, TransCo, NGCP Inspect ₱5.27-B Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay Transmission Project; Completion Reaches 93.16%
The Department of Energy (DOE) together with Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on April 14, 2026, conducted a site inspection of the ₱5.27 Billion Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay Transmission Line Project (NCBTLP), reaffirming the government’s commitment to deliver critical energy infrastructure that will secure a more reliable and resilient power supply for Aklan, particularly Boracay Island.
Now at 93.161 percent overall completion, the project marks a major step forward in strengthening the transmission backbone, serving one of the country’s most important tourism and economic centers. Once fully completed, the NCBTLP will help address rising electricity demand, improve system reliability, encourage energy investors to develop renewable energy plants, and reinforce the grid against technical and environmental vulnerabilities that have long affected power stability in the area.
“We are fast-tracking the completion of this critical project because reliable power is fundamental to economic growth, public service, and the continued development of Boracay and the rest of Aklan,” said DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara. “Our inspection confirms that substantial progress has been made, and the Department remains fully committed to ensuring that this infrastructure is completed on schedule and built to the highest standards of safety, quality, and long-term reliability.”
The site inspection covered key project components, including the Boracay GIS Substation, major transmission lines, and underground cable systems connecting Nabas, Caticlan, and Boracay Island. The visit formed part of the Department’s continuing oversight to verify on-ground progress, ensure the quality and integrity of ongoing works, and support the timely completion of facilities critical to the province’s energy security.
Several major project components have already been completed and energized. These include the Nabas Substation, which has been operational since 17 December 2023; the rehabilitated Unidos Caticlan Transmission Line, energized on 3 February 2026; and the replacement of the Caticlan 69 kilovolt XLPE Cable, which was energized on 13 February 2026. The adjustment of the 69-kilovolt bypass line, completed in December 2025, has likewise helped address power tripping incidents previously caused by high tides and strong wave activity.
Construction of the remaining major facilities is likewise progressing. The Boracay GIS Substation is now 80.25 percent complete, while work on the Unidos-Caticlan 138-kilovolt Underground Cable has reached 68.54 percent completion. Meanwhile, the Caticlan-Boracay Power Cable and Cable Transition Station are now 99.92 percent complete. The Nabas-Unidos 230-kilovolt Line and the Unidos-Caticlan 138-kilovolt Line are each at 99.0 percent completion, while the Manoc-Manoc Boracay Tie Line stands at 99.01 percent complete.
Underground cable components are being constructed strictly during night hours, from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., in compliance with airport safety regulations, with completion targeted by June 2026.
The NCBTLP is expected to benefit around 155,474 residential, 13,388 commercial, and 27 industrial customers by providing a more reliable and stable power supply across the province.
The DOE emphasized that infrastructure of this scale is vital not only to sustaining local economic activity and tourism growth, but also to advancing the broader national objective of energy security through timely, high-quality, and future-ready power investments.
The project remains on track for full completion by August 2026, with the Department continuing to monitor implementation closely to help ensure that the long-term power requirements of Boracay and Aklan are met through reliable, resilient, and well-executed transmission infrastructure. ###