Cusi seeks power coops’ master plan for energization target

MANILA, Philippines — Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has ordered electric cooperatives (ECs) to submit the master plan to resolve faster the electricity access gap in rural areas before the 2022 target.

This as ECs, under the supervision of the National Electrification Administration (NEA), have reaffirmed their commitment to work together to bridge electricity access gap, especially in remote and far-flung communities with poor living conditions.

In a recent dialogue with the Department of Energy (DOE) and NEA, the general managers of different ECs nationwide committed to submit a master plan identifying the unserved and underserved sitios within their respective franchise areas.

The master plan—which should provide a roadmap to meet a specific goal: access to electricity for all by 2022—should be prepared and submitted in two months.

Cusi underscored the role the ECs play in uplifting the economic status of underprivileged Filipinos.

“Electricity creates wealth. It empowers people to create wealth. So let’s give them the opportunity to uplift their lives by giving them the electricity that they need,” he said.

The energy chief also urged the ECs to face the challenges in bridging the electricity access gap and be creative in lighting up the rural communities. He said ECs should also find ways to lower down their electricity costs and systems loss to increase their power efficiency.

“The 2022 (timeline) let’s make it happen earlier. Make it happen in 2020 or even earlier... I hope that we can put it in our hearts to really find ways on how to serve our community, especially the less privileged people,” he said.

For the government’s part, Cusi assured the power distribution utilities of government’s assistance.

The DOE, NEA and National Power Corp. (Napocor) will join forces and consolidate their resources to address the concerns of the ECs with respect to lighting up the rural areas that have no electricity.

The agencies will form composite monitoring teams to assist the ECs to meet their action timelines.

The dialog was in response to the recent directive of President Duterte to expedite rural electrification by allowing the entry of private sector, giving the communities more options.