THE Department of Energy (DoE) said on Thursday that it had partnered with the European Union (EU) to provide electricity to around 100,000 households in off-grid communities, including those in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
In a statement, the DoE said Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella and the EU’s head of Development Cooperation, Enrico Strampelli, led the switch-on event for the solar power for electrification and livelihood projects on Thursday in Digos City, Davao del Sur.
The initiative will be undertaken through the Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP), for which the EU has set aside funding for projects such as electrification via renewable resources.
“The EU provided about €60 million grant to the Philippine government for the implementation of a program that would increase the share of indigenous and renewable sources in the energy mix and expand the access to electricity services in remote areas and populations and to pursue new energy efficiency strategies,” the DoE said.
The DoE said the switch-on ceremony at the Dasureco compound in Digos City represented the electrification of households in Sitio New Mabuhay and the thousands others in off-grid areas across the country.
“It also highlights the productive use of renewable energy for increased income generation in rural communities,” the DoE said.
Under ASEP’s photovoltaic (PV) mainstreaming program, about 40,500 solar home systems (SHS), each with a 50-watt peak capacity, will be installed in remote off-grid communities in various provinces in Mindanao.
To date, the SHS installation has been completed in Sitio New Mabuhay, Barangay Little Baguio in the Municipality of Malita, Davao del Sur. About 100 recipient households already benefit from the solar PV lighting.
Through the technical assistance of ASEP, a three-kilowatt solar PV system that powers two units of abaca spindle machines was also installed to show the economic opportunities in remote communities through renewable energy.
These installations in New Mabuhay represent an “electrification with livelihood,” approach for off grid areas, the DoE said.
ASEP, which is being carried out as a partnership between EU and the DoE, has other stakeholders, including the National Electrification Administration, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Power Corp., electric cooperatives and local governments.
Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said his department, along with partners and stakeholders, “will continue to explore more projects that will benefit our brothers and sisters in remote areas through innovative solutions.” — Victor V. Saulon

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