EU, World Bank, Napocor collaborate to bring solar power to underserved communities in the Philippines
By ROY C. MABASA
General Santos City – In a groundbreaking initiative to promote sustainable energy solutions, the European Union (EU), the World Bank and the National Power Corporation (Napocor) have come together to inaugurate rural network solar power plants in the Philippines.
The ceremony, held on Thursday, August 31, 2023 here, marked the successful completion of a project aimed at delivering clean energy to underserved communities.
This remarkable endeavor, executed by Napocor under the Access to Sustainable Energy Project administered by the World Bank, has been made possible through funding from a grant provided by the EU.
As part of the EU’s EUR 66 million (PHP 3.8 billion equivalent) Access to Sustainable Energy Programme, the project involved the construction of four 1MWp greenfield solar PV power plants at a total cost of EUR 4.6 million (approximately PHP 280 million).
During the inauguration ceremony, two of these solar power plants were officially connected to the distribution networks of South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II) and Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (SUKELCO). This connection will provide these regions with access to sustainable energy sources. The remaining two plants, scheduled to be linked to the networks of Samar I & II Electric Cooperatives (SAMELCO I, SAMELCO II), are expected to become operational by the end of September 2023.
This significant investment in solar energy not only promises to make energy consumption in these target areas more environmentally sustainable but also contributes significantly to diversifying the energy supply and mitigating climate change.
Speaking at the ceremony, Luc Véron, ambassador of European Union Ambassador to the Philippines, expressed pride in supporting the project and emphasized the EU’s dedication to a greener society and climate change mitigation.
He referenced recent discussions between President Marcos and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reaffirming the importance of such initiatives in EU-Philippines cooperation.
Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, highlighted the project’s significance in promoting sustainable energy solutions for inclusive growth in the Philippines.
He noted that these solar power plants set practical examples and benchmarks for scaling up renewable energy supplies among electric cooperatives.
Fernando Martin Y. Roxas, President and CEO of Napocor, expressed pride in Napocor’s partnership with the EU and the World Bank in delivering renewable energy to remote Philippine communities.
He revealed that in 2022, Napocor completed the installation of 30,500 units of solar home systems for five electric cooperatives in Mindanao.
The inauguration of these solar power plants represents a significant stride towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future for the Philippines.
It signifies a collaborative effort between international organizations and local authorities to bring power and progress to remote communities, setting an inspiring example for the rest of the world in the journey towards sustainability and clean energy.
