Napocor launches first mini-grid in Palawan

MANILA, Philippines — State-owned National Power Corp. (Napocor) has inaugurated the first of its eight mini-grid projects in Palawan which will be powered by diesel-fired generating sets.

In a statement, Napocor said it launched an 80-kilowatt (kw) genset in Nangalao, Linapacan which would initially grant an eight-hour access to electricity to 130 households.

The state-run firm said it would add capacities/operating hours accordingly to the growing demand of the community, which has 170 more potential households to energize.

“The community’s main source of livelihood is fishing. Now with electricity, we wish to bring tourism in the picture since the island has huge potential in attracting tourists,” Napocor president and CEO Pio Benavidez said.

Linapacan is an island municipality located south of the Calamian Group of Islands (Busuanga, Coron, Culion). It is one of the many undiscovered paradise in the Philippines that boasts of clear waters and breathtaking marine reserve.

The project is part of a memorandum of agreement signed by Napocor with the provincial government of Palawan for eight areas in the island.

Under the agreement, the state-run firm will provide gensets, fuel and manpower, while the local government unit has committed to provide for the powerhouse and plant site.

“The provincial government also provided the distribution line in Nangalao which helped us expedite the energization of the area,” Benavidez said.