Leyte: An electric cooperative in Leyte is set to expand the capacity of its substations this year in response to increasing power demand in the central part of the province. Christopher Garcia, assistant general manager of Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative (Dorelco), announced that the cooperative is planning to expand the capacity of its existing substation in Tanauan town and establish a new one in Julita town.

According to Philippines News Agency, Dorelco intends to upgrade the Tanauan substation from its current 5 megavolt amperes (MVA) to 10 MVA by the first quarter of 2026. This facility serves power consumers in Tanauan town and the nearby Dagami town. "We must increase the capacity of the Tanauan substation since the requirement for Tanauan town alone is 4.2 MVA. The upgrading will ensure power stability," Garcia explained.

Substations are essential high-voltage electrical facilities that facilitate the switching of generators, equipment, and circuits or lines within the system. Dorelco also plans to construct a new substation in either Julita or Burauen town to meet the power requirements of both areas. Currently, these towns are connected to a 10 MVA substation at Dorelco's complex in Tolosa town, which is 50 kilometers from Burauen. Garcia noted, "It will ensure power quality since we have been experiencing low voltage in Julita and Burauen due to the distance from the existing substation."

The existing 10 MVA substation at Dorelco's office compound in Tolosa supplies electricity to the towns of Tolosa, Tabontabon, Burauen, Julita, and Dulag. To alleviate the load on this substation, Dorelco plans to build additional substations in Julita or Burauen.

Additionally, the cooperative is undertaking maintenance and repair work on substations in Mayorga and Javier towns. Dorelco, originally established as Leyte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LECI) on June 21, 1971, through Presidential Decree No. 269, was financed by a long-term PHP28 million loan from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to the government through the National Electrification Administration (NEA). The cooperative's first franchise was approved in 1977, and it currently operates within a franchise area spanning 164,426 hectares.