Strengthening the Distribution Grid. The 138 kV ERA Line 2, as seen from the Langub area, overlooks Matina Aplaya, Davao City. The 25-circuit-kilometer (ckt-km) line traverses J.P. Laurel Avenue, Buhangin-Lapanday Road, Diversion Road, Ulas Bypass Road, Davao-Bukidnon Road, Gumamela Street, and Maguey Street in Mintal. It then connects to the transmission substation of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in New Loon, Mintal.
by Jade Chiu
Davao Light is taking significant strides in strengthening its power distribution infrastructure and ensuring reliable service across its franchise area.
On July 28, 2025, the company inaugurated the new 25-circuit-kilometer, 138-kilovolt (kV) ERA Line 2—an important milestone in addressing the growing energy demands of Davao City. Designed to carry up to 400 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines – Davao Substation in New Loon, Mintal to Davao Light’s ERA Substation along J.P. Laurel Avenue, the new line not only boosts supply capacity but also provides a crucial backup to the existing 138 kV ERA Line 1. In case of disruptions, this redundancy ensures continuous and reliable power delivery, resulting in fewer and shorter power interruptions for customers.
This major infrastructure upgrade strengthens the overall reliability and resilience of the city’s power supply, bringing tangible benefits to households, businesses, and the broader Davao community.
More than just a technical achievement, the project underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to powering progress and building a brighter, more energized future for all Davao Light customers.
A cornerstone of Davao Light’s infrastructure, the ERA Substation is named after Ernesto R. Aboitiz, one of the company’s leaders in the 1950s. It is the first of two 138 kV/69 kV sub-transmission substations of the distribution utility, playing a key role in serving Davao City’s dense north, downtown, and south areas.
“Following the energization on June 9, we inaugurated the new 138 kV ERA Line 2, reaffirming our dedication to expanding our distribution network, enhancing operational efficiency, and maintaining a competitive edge in the industry,” said Enriczar Tia, Davao Light President and COO. “Investing in our lines and substations ensures that we can serve and accommodate the growing energy needs of our customers.”
This commitment to system reliability and resilience extends beyond the ERA Substation. On the same day, the distribution utility also inaugurated the Gatungan Steel 138 kV Switching Station and Subtransmission Line in Bunawan District, Davao City. This facility is designed to ensure a stable and sufficient power supply to meet the steel plant’s high energy demand. It is also equipped to isolate and protect the facility and the distribution power grid when either encounters electrical issues.
Davao Light will continue its strategic investments in the ERA Substation, including the upgrade of Line 1 to match the capacity of the newly constructed line—further solidifying the stability and resilience of the power distribution infrastructure in the city.
Now in its 79th year of empowering the evolution of its communities, Davao Light provides solutions that pave the way for the development of its franchise area, covering the cities of Davao, Panabo, and the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali, and Sto. Tomas. Soon, the AboitizPower subsidiary will expand its services to the entire provinces of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.