By THE National Power Corporation (NPC) on Thursday turned over four rural network solar power plants to electric cooperatives (ECs) in Samar, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
The project is part of the European Union’s P3.8-billion grant to the Philippines through the Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP), a joint undertaking of the EU and the Department of Energy (DOE), and administered by the World Bank.
NPC said it installed four 1-megawatt peak (MWp) greenfield solar PV (photovoltaic) power plants and linked them with the ECs’ distribution networks, which have a total cost of P280 million.
The two plants connected to the distribution networks of South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II) and Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (SUKELCO) were switched on, while the remaining two that are connected to the networks of Samar I & II Electric Cooperatives (SAMELCO I, SAMELCO II) would be switched on by the end of September.
EU said that the investments in solar energy would help make energy consumption in the target locations more environmentally sustainable, contribute to diversifying energy supply, and ultimately help mitigate climate change.
At the inauguration ceremony, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron stated that the EU is committed to supporting the Philippines’ thrust to drive the clean energy transition agenda.
“We are very proud to have financed this action that provides sustainable and clean energy solutions to remote communities in Mindanao and Visayas. Working on the transition to a greener society and climate change mitigation is a global priority for the European Union, and it will also remain at the center of our cooperation efforts with the Philippines. This was likewise confirmed just a few weeks ago in the dialogue between President Marcos and the European Commission President, Ursula van der Leyen, during her visit to the Philippines,” Veron said. Lenie Lectura
“This project exemplifies the World Bank’s commitment to promoting sustainable energy solutions for inclusive growth in the Philippines,” commented Ndiame Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.
NPC President Fernando Martin Roxas extended its appreciation to the EU and WB. “Napocor is proud to be a partner of the EU and the World Bank in bringing renewable energy to far-flung areas in the country, supporting the government’s endeavors in full electrification and renewable energy scale-up,” he said.