Negros Power Restores Asdes Gonzaga Substation Capacity In 12 Days With MORE Power’s Assistance
Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) successfully energized a replacement transformer at the Asdes Gonzaga Substation on October 15, 2026, just 12 days after its existing transformer failed. The replacement was made possible through assistance from MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), helping protect electricity service for approximately 20,000 consumers.
The restoration came during Bacolod City’s MassKara Festival season, when reliable electricity was essential for households, businesses, tourism establishments, and festival activities.
Emergency Response to Transformer Failure
The incident occurred on October 3, when the substation’s 37.5-megavolt-ampere (MVA) transformer failed. Manufactured in 2006 and installed in 2007, the unit had been operating for nearly two decades.
Negros Power had been monitoring the aging equipment and carrying out maintenance to help maintain its condition. After the failure, the company transferred the affected electrical loads to the Mt. View and Alijis substations to help sustain electricity service while a replacement was arranged.
MORE Power Provides Replacement Equipment
To address the urgent need, MORE Power made one of its newly acquired transformers available to Negros Power. The equipment had originally been intended for expansion projects at the Megaworld TR2 and General Hughes substations.
Manufactured by Hitachi Energy in Bac Ninh, Vietnam, the replacement unit has a rated capacity of 30/36 MVA and a voltage rating of 69/13.8 kV.
The assistance enabled Negros Power to secure replacement equipment without waiting for a new unit to be procured, helping speed up the restoration of the substation’s capacity.
Replacement Completed in 12 Days
The new transformer was energized at 5:17PM on October 15, marking the completion of the emergency replacement process 12 days after the initial failure.
The response highlights the importance of equipment monitoring, contingency planning, and coordination among electricity distribution utilities in addressing unexpected infrastructure problems.
With the replacement transformer in operation, Negros Power took an important step toward restoring the Asdes Gonzaga Substation’s capacity and strengthening the reliability of the distribution network serving Bacolod City and nearby communities.
The timely assistance from MORE Power also demonstrates how cooperation among utilities can help address urgent operational needs and reduce the risk of prolonged electricity service disruptions for consumers.
