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Philippine Department Of Energy Electrification Project - n/a Environment: Forestry, Energy & Environmental Services Philippines 2005 - 2009 Philippines Dept. of Energy |
Bringing Power to Rural Philippine Communities
RATIONALEMany small communities (barangays) in the Philippines lack access to electrical power. Oftentimes this is because they are located too far from existing power grids; circumstances are sometimes exacerbated by issues of civil strife.
Access to power brings greater potential for community development in many ways, from lighting for schools and community centers to a wider range of possible entrepreneurial activities. These developments promote stability, enhanced livelihoods, and conflict mitigation.
Winrock implements a program called the Alliance for Mindanao and Multi-Regional Off-grid Renewable Energy (AMORE), which has successfully electrified 227 off-grid, conflict-affected communities in the Philippine region of Mindanao using renewable energy systems.
OBJECTIVES
Recognizing the contribution of electrification to rural development, the Philippine government's Department of Energy (DOE) launched a program called Expanded Rural Electrification, which aims to accelerate electrification of all barangays in the country through enhanced public-private partnership, to promote cost-effective uses of new and renewable energy for the provision of electricity in remote and unviable areas, and to integrate all efforts and initiatives to achieve 100 percent barangay electrification in the country by 2008 and 90 percent household electrification by 2017.
Programs that provide solar home systems to households on a free or highly subsidized basis have a poor track record for sustainability. Photovoltaic (PV) systems installed in institutions and public facilities in many rural areas without adequate attention to appropriateness of design and maintenance arrangements, and lacking strong linkages with local market-based capacities, also have poor track records for sustainability.
Winrock intends to use its experience with sustainable rural electrification to overcome these issues. Past efforts have shown that a competitive marketplace is important if the suppliers are to be more responsive to market demand and offer a range and variety of PV products and services to meet consumer needs at competitive prices. If consumers/beneficiaries bear a portion of the cost, it results in a greater sense of ownership and leads to long-term sustainable use. For most consumers, credit facilities must be available to spread the high capital cost of PV systems over a number of years in order to enhance affordability.
ACTIVITIES
The DOE will provide funds for the procurement of PV systems. Winrock, through the AMORE Project, will manage the implementation at the local level. Specifically, Winrock will conduct the necessary project preparation activities such as market survey, technical design, and community organizing.
In agreement with the DOE, criteria will be developed and used to screen barangays for inclusion in the project. The design of PV energy packages will be based on international standards and best practice. Winrock will develop a system for transferring ownership of the PV system to the beneficiary ensuring sustainability. Accountability and maintenance arrangements will be designed. Viable billing and collection methods will also be assessed, based on the experience of AMORE. DOE and Winrock will develop after-sales services standard for the system operators.
Winrock will host various skills training for barangay groups to ensure that they will be able to handle their own organizations, make sound decisions, and be capable of sustaining themselves after the project life.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Funds provided by the Philippine Department of Eneregy have been used for the purchase of the hardware for renewable energy systems in compliance with the Philippine Government Procurement Reform Act.