The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has urged electric cooperatives (ECs) to study alternative electrification solutions to extend power to remote and far-flung communities.
“Energy access matters during the pandemic. Hence, we urge the electric cooperatives to consider setting up micro-grids and solar home systems to connect remote communities without access to electricity,” said Edgardo Masongsong, NEA administrator, in a virtual conference.
Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Emmanuel Juaneza, who also serves as the NEA Board of Administrators alternate chairman, also called on ECs to harness indigenous energy resources available in their areas such as hydro and solar, citing that the DOE is ready to assist them in developing small-scale power generating facilities.
NEA data showed as of May, the overall level of energization within the coverage areas of ECs is at 96 percent or 13,809,630 connections out of the 14,335,784 potential consumers based on the 2015 census.
For the past 51 years,NEA has energized 78 provinces, 90 cities, 1,384 municipalities and 36,048 barangays across the country.
