Story: JOSEPHINE M. MENDOZA
With reports & photo from Michael Sabejon
“The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) does not exercise control over the power grid nor over NGCP. “
These were the words of NGCP Vice Chairman Henry Sy, Jr. in his opening statement addressing the Committee on Legislative Franchises of the House of Representatives that addresses concerns on China’s role on the operations of the country’s (Philippines) power grid.
Sy further told that Monte Oro Grid Resources Corporation and Calaca High Power Corporation each holds 30% or a total of 60% of the outstanding capital stock of NGCP, whereas SGCC only holds a minority share of 40%.
On the matter of NGCP' partnership with a Chinese firm, Sy clarified that SGCC was already on board and the shareholders agreement was already in place when he purchased his shares in 2010.
He also debunked reports that the Chinese can shut down the country's power grid, stressing that "it is NGCP alone, through its Filipino directors and personnel, and not the Chinese, which has control over the System Operations."
"The Chinese do not have control over the Grid," he emphasized, adding "there is no proverbial single red button that can instantly turn off the Grid. There are protocols that actually prevent this,” Sy stated.
With reports & photo from Michael Sabejon
“The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) does not exercise control over the power grid nor over NGCP. “
These were the words of NGCP Vice Chairman Henry Sy, Jr. in his opening statement addressing the Committee on Legislative Franchises of the House of Representatives that addresses concerns on China’s role on the operations of the country’s (Philippines) power grid.
Sy further told that Monte Oro Grid Resources Corporation and Calaca High Power Corporation each holds 30% or a total of 60% of the outstanding capital stock of NGCP, whereas SGCC only holds a minority share of 40%.
On the matter of NGCP' partnership with a Chinese firm, Sy clarified that SGCC was already on board and the shareholders agreement was already in place when he purchased his shares in 2010.
He also debunked reports that the Chinese can shut down the country's power grid, stressing that "it is NGCP alone, through its Filipino directors and personnel, and not the Chinese, which has control over the System Operations."
"The Chinese do not have control over the Grid," he emphasized, adding "there is no proverbial single red button that can instantly turn off the Grid. There are protocols that actually prevent this,” Sy stated.
Sy also informed the Committee that NGCP's SCADA system is a secure stand-alone, isolated system not connected to any other network or internet, thus making it safe from remote hacking.
Sy also underscored the need for stability, not just in the power grid, but also in supply, law, policy and regulation, for a more robust power industry.
"I strongly urge our DOE to look at the problem as a whole. The data is clear, 97 percent of the power interruptions from 2016 to 2023 was caused by problems in supply," Sy pointed out.
"We need stable, affordable baseload power. We need a comprehensive, aligned plan that considers the needs of all sectors. We are willing to be part of the solution, but transmission should not be the solution to everyone's problems," he said.(CJ/jmm/NGCP)
Sy also underscored the need for stability, not just in the power grid, but also in supply, law, policy and regulation, for a more robust power industry.
"I strongly urge our DOE to look at the problem as a whole. The data is clear, 97 percent of the power interruptions from 2016 to 2023 was caused by problems in supply," Sy pointed out.
"We need stable, affordable baseload power. We need a comprehensive, aligned plan that considers the needs of all sectors. We are willing to be part of the solution, but transmission should not be the solution to everyone's problems," he said.(CJ/jmm/NGCP)
