The European Union (EU), the World Bank and the National Power Corporation (Napocor) held a ceremony in General Santos City recently to mark the inauguration of the completed rural network solar power plants involving four electric cooperatives (ECs) in Samar, Visayas and South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao.
The setting up the solar power plants and their linking to the distribution networks of the ECs is being done by Napocor under the Access to Sustainable Energy Project administered by the World Bank and funded by a grant from the EU. The project, which is part of the EU’s EUR 66 million (PHP 3.8 billion equivalent) Access to Sustainable Energy Programme, financed four (4) 1MWp greenfield solar PV power plants at a total cost of EUR 4.6 million (PHP 280 million equivalent).
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 at the ceremony. The other two plants, which will be connected to the networks of Samar I & II Electric Cooperatives (SAMELCO I, SAMELCO II), should be switched on by the end of September 2023. These investments in solar energy will help make energy consumption in the target locations more environmentally sustainable, contribute to diversifying energy supply and ultimately helping mitigate climate change.
At the inauguration ceremony, H.E. Luc Véron, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines stated that “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 centre of our cooperation efforts with the Philippines. This was 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.”
“This project exemplifies the World Bank’s commitment to promoting sustainable energy solutions for inclusive growth in the Philippines,” said Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. He also noted the importance of these solar power plants by setting practical examples and benchmarks for scaling up renewable energy supplies among ECs.
“Napocor is proud to be a partner of the EU and the World Bank in brining renewable energy to far flung areas of the Philippines, supporting the government’s endeavours in full electrification and renewable energy scale-up. Under this partnership, Napocor also completed the installation of 30,500 units of solar home systems for five (5) electric cooperatives in Mindanao in 2022,” said Mr. Fernando Martin Y. Roxas, President and CEO of Napocor.
Mr. Roxas extended his appreciation to both the EU and WB, as well as to the Department of Energy for entrusting Napocor with the implementation of the Access to Sustainable Energy Project.
“This has been a fruitful collaboration. We are grateful to extend our technical expertise and at the same time obtain inspiration in our own pursuit of renewable energy technologies. We look forward to future engagements with our development partners,” said Mr. Roxas.