DOE Asks NAPOCOR to Work for Total Electrification

LEVEL UP: Speaking on behalf of DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi during the National Power Corporation’s (NAPOCOR) 81st Anniversary, Usec. William Felix Fuentebella challenged the power firm to further raise the bar of excellence, stepping up their performance to ensure the delivery of quality, reliable and affordable electricity services, especially to far-flung off-grid areas.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi urged the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) on Monday to work for a more stable and affordable power supply as the government moves for the total electrification of the country, specially the far-flung communities.

Cusi made the exhortation through Energy Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella who represented the DOE chief on the occasion of NAPOCOR’s 81st anniversary celebration held at the NPC building in Quezon City.

Cusi stressed that the Duterte administration wants to provide power to all of the remote, underserved or unserved areas in the Philippines.

“In serving the country’s peripheries, the NPC must double its efforts to lower electricity prices, achieve stable power supply and enhance the resilience of electric power infrastructures to ensure continued growth,” Fuentebella said.

During the NAPOCOR anniversary program, the Missionary Electrification Development Plan (MEDP) was highlighted as the DOE’s vision and ‎‎2016-2020 roadmap for off-grid power development projects.

With the National Electrification Administration (NEA), NAPOCOR will move to provide resilient, reliable and high-quality electricity services to off-grid provinces in the country.

“All these require the re-thinking of our current electric power infrastructure,” said Fuentebella, who batted for the introduction of innovative and emerging technologies.

During the celebration, NAPOCOR President Pio J. Benavidez turned over to the DOE a copy of ‎‎‎‎2018-2022 National Power Corporation Missionary Electrification Plan (MEP ‎‎‎2018-2022) which forms a major part of the MEDP.

The rationalization of the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UC-ME) should make the power industry in off-grid areas more self-reliant and less dependent on subsidies in the long run, said the DOE official.

“I understand that there is so much to be done. But looking ahead, all this would mean that the country’s rural communities would be in a far better position than they are today,” Fuentebella said.
       
The DOE underscored the role NAPOCOR plays in the energy sector’s total electrification goal as mandated under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.

Due to the influx of new economic activities and eco-tourism in off-grid provinces, additional power supply is needed to be consistent with the government’s objective of bringing economic development in these areas, the DOE concluded.

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