Power co-ops post record low system loss in 2012

MANILA, Philippines - Power cooperatives under the supervision of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) posted a record low average of 11.74 percent in system losses in 2012.

This is a reduction of 0.13 percentage point from 11.87 percent in 2011 and 1.26 percentage points lower than the 13-percent cap set by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), NEA reported yesterday.

The reduction in system losses has an equivalent savings of 170.42 million kilowatt-hours (kwh) or about P1.148 billion for the cooperatives’ member consumers, NEA also said.

Among the cooperatives, 23 posted  single-digit system losses while 77 were within the cap set by the ERC.

On the other hand, 53 cooperatives showed marked improvement in their system loss level in 2012 compared to 2011.

According to NEA, five ECs had the lowest system losses. These are the Dinagat Island Electric Cooperative Inc. with 5.07 percent; Misamis Oriental I Electric Service Inc. (Moresco I) with 5.24 percent; Siargao Electric Cooperative  Inc. (Siarelco) with 6.05 percent; Cebu III Electric Cooperative Inc. (Cebeco III) with 6.46 percent; and Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (Aselco) with 6.77 percent.

The Region VII (Central Visayas) ECs recorded the lowest average system loss at 8.39 percent, NEA said.

NEA attributed the reduction in system loss to meter changes, including pole metering and cluster metering made by the cooperatives to their member consumers.

The government agency has been stepping up efforts to improve system losses. Last year, NEA tapped the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to address the system loss concerns of the electric cooperatives nationwide.

JICA tapped the expertise of the Tokyo Electric Power Co. (Tepco) to help the cooperatives reduce distribution system losses.