(The
Philippine Star) | Updated October 2, 2017
- 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines —
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has released a study that
will promote better access to basic electricity services in the Philippines
with the government’s thrust toward total electrification.
The study, titled
“Accelerating the Deployment of Renewable Energy Mini-Grids for Off-Grid
Electrification- A Study on the Philippines,” was received by Energy Secretary
Alfonso Cusi during the concluding ceremonies of the 35th ASEAN Ministers on
Energy Meeting (AMEM).
Cusi said the IRENA
study supports the country’s total electrification goal for Filipino families
to enjoy equal opportunity to access basic electricity services.
“Electrification of
households, particularly in the rural areas, remains a big challenge for us.
Thus, we have to take advantage of this study to bridge the residual gaps in
our electrification efforts,” he said.
The study entailed a
documentary review, focus group discussions and field studies in four sites,
which resulted in several key recommendations to accelerate the deployment of
energy mini-grids via renewable energy and other emerging technologies for
off-grid electrification in the Philippines.
IRENA came up with five
key recommendations in the study. It said the Philippines should define roles
and responsibilities to remove overlapping roles, functions and
accountabilities to acknowledge stakeholders’ roles and to define
private-sector boundaries.
The country was also
told to undertake comprehensive and strategic planning for total
electrification, missionary electrification development, stronger coordination
among relevant agencies, grid and off-grid development efforts, and resource
utilization, especially renewable energy.
To promote setting up
of micro-grids, IRENA said the government should establish a clear policy
approach for mini-grids to introduce a graduation policy for the universal
charge for missionary electrification entitlement.
The international
agency also suggested to revise regulatory approach for mini-grid projects to
remove existing barriers and facilitate smooth entry in the market by
streamlining processes, updating procurement rules and improving tariff
determination procedures.
Lastly, IRENA said the
Philippines should increase project development and execution support for more
accessible financing, and promotion and understanding of renewable energy by
all stakeholders.
IRENA is an
intergovernmental organization that supports countries in their transition to a
sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for
international co-operation, a center of excellence, and a repository of policy,
technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy.
The international
agency also promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms
of renewable energy, including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar
and wind energy, in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access,
energy security and low-carbon
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