The National Electrification Administration (NEA) pressed the electric cooperatives (ECs) to study alternative electrification solutions to extend power to remote and far-flung communities that still do not have access to it.
Speaking at the NEA-EC Consultative Conference held Tuesday (August 4), Administrator Edgardo Masongsong underscored the importance of affordable and reliable electricity, especially in off-grid areas, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hit the country.
“Energy access matters during the pandemic. Hence, we urge the electric cooperatives to consider setting up microgrids and solar home systems to connect remote communities without access to electricity,” the NEA chief said.
Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Emmanuel Juaneza, who also serves as the NEA Board of Administrators alternate chairman, echoed the same message during the virtual consultative meeting.
Undersecretary Juaneza challenged the ECs to harness indigenous energy resources available in their areas, such as hydro and solar. He added that the DOE is ready to assist them in developing small-scale power generating facilities.
In his message, Administrator Masongsong also laid out the actions implemented by the DOE, the state-run agency, and the ECs over the past months in response to COVID-19 crisis.
The NEA chief also thanked the power distribution utilities for the resilience they have shown in the face of the unprecedented challenges brought by the pandemic.
Moreover, Masongsong reaffirmed the NEA’s commitment to continue to provide support and guidance to the ECs during these challenging times.
“Now, more than ever, is the perfect time for us to embody the spirit of cooperativism. Let us turn our cries of solidarity into strategic and actionable plans,” he added.
The consultative conference, which was held on August 4 via Zoom video conferencing, focused on the theme “Charging for the Future: Moving for a Resilient Rural Electrification Program.”
Prior to this, a Strategic Thinking and Conference was held virtually on July 21 to 23, which provided the platform for the NEA and ECs to craft a two-year sustainability plan.
The plan includes strategies to enhance the resilience of the NEA, the power cooperatives, and the Rural Electrification Program in dealing with the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The consultative meeting was virtually attended by the Board of Directors and general managers of 105 ECs, leaders of different allied organizations, and the Power Bloc representatives.
The event was part of the month-long observance of the 11th National Electrification Awareness Month this August and the 51st Foundation Anniversary of the NEA.
The NEA is mandated to carry out the total electrification of the country on an area coverage basis, with the 121 ECs as the implementing arm.
For the past 51 years, the NEA and the electric cooperatives have successfully energized 78 provinces, 90 cities, 1,384 municipalities, and 36,048 barangays across the country.
As of May 2020, NEA data showed 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. ###