National Transmission Corporation

The National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) is a Philippine government corporation created in 2001 by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act currently operating the nation's power grid. It assumed all of Napocor's substation and transmission assets.

Facade, entrance

History

TransCo was previously an integral part of the state-owned National Power Corporation created under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act which describes TransCo as its "crown jewel", as a step to privatize the nation's electric industry.[1]

TransCo has been separated from Napocor since March 1, 2003. Its transmission lines links various power plants, distribution utilities (such as Meralco) and electric cooperatives all over the Philippines.

Privatization

The Arroyo administration has been recently criticized for conducting nontransparent and biased bidding of the nations critical power grid operator by manipulating the bidding process.[2][3] Petitions were filed to the supreme court by some bidders who were barred from bidding despite being qualified enough.[4]

Opponents to TransCo's privatizations argue that TransCo should remain state-owned instead of selling it to private firms where it can be readily abused for profits. Ultimately, electricity consumers shall burden the electricity prize hike imposed by private power transmission firm monopoly.[5]

On December 12, 2007, 2 consortia bid for a 25-year license to run the Philippine power grid - privatization of the management of the National Transmission Corporation (Transco): the consortium of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp., led by businessman Enrique Razon, comprising the State Grid Corporation of China, and Calaca High Power Corp., WON in an auction conducted by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corp. as it submitted the highest offer of $3.95 billion, for the right to operate TransCo for 25 years, outbidding San Miguel Energy, a unit of San Miguel Corporation (bid of $3.905 billion), Dutch firm TPG Aurora BV and Malaysia’s TNB Prai Sdn Bhd. Jose Ibazeta, PSALM president and CEO remarked: “We are very happy about the successful turnout of the bidding for TransCo. PSALM handled the privatization of the government’s transmission business with utmost transparency and judiciousness."[6][7][8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.doe.gov.ph/popup/RA%209136.pdf Electric Power Industry Reform Act
  2. ↑ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=103080 Arroyo ally bidding for Transco scored
  3. ↑ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=103711 Arroyo brother in Transco bid
  4. ↑ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=102823 Court asked to stop Transco bidding
  5. ↑ http://www.gmanews.tv/story/70136/Groups-want-alleged-anomalies-in-Transco-privatization-probed Groups want alleged anomalies in Transco privatization probed
  6. ↑ Manila Times, RP-China group wins $3.95-B TransCo bid
  7. ↑ Reuters, Two groups vie for multi-billion dlr Manila power deal
  8. ↑ Abs-Cbn Interactive, Monte Oro consortium wins TransCo bidding

Sources

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