ADB plans scaling up PHL pilot microgrid project without grant money

Asian Development Bank (ADB) plans to scale up its pilot microgrid project in the Philippines through a business model that will not require grant money from the multileral lending agency, its energy official said.
“We are trying to look for a business model to make sure that this can happen without always ADB grant money,” said Yongping Zhai, the bank’s energy sector group chief in an interview during the Ayala Finex Finance Summit on Wednesday in Makati City.
Launched in March 2016, the pilot project on Cobrador Island in Romblon province provides 24-hour electricity to about 244 households through a solar-diesel hybrid power generation system. It was funded by the bank’s grant money.
“We are sharing this information, the pilot. We’re doing detailed assessment on how much it the cost, what is the technology, how will it meet household demand,” Mr. Zhai said.
The pilot project shows how clean, renewable energy can be harnessed to upgrade existing rural electricity systems to meet the requirements of remote and energy-deficient communities in the country. — Victor V. Saulon