Davao power coops get funding support from EU-backed NGO
By Danessa Rivera – October 2, 2019 – 12:00am
from The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines — Three power coops in Davao region are getting support from a European Union (EU) backed-non-government organization (NGO) to help power up off-grid communities through renewable energy systems.
Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (Daneco), Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (Dasureco), and Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative Inc. (Doreco) signed a memorandum of agreement with Yamog Renewable Energy Development Group Inc. (Yamog) for renewable energy projects.
Under the deal, Yamog, the implementing NGO of the project, will provide renewable energy technologies, such as solar home lighting and micro-hydropower systems, in off-grid areas covered by Daneco, Dasureco, and Doreco.
The project, funded by the EU-Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP), will boost the thrust of the Philippine government towards the attainment of 100 percent household electrification by 2022.
Yamog managing director Porferio Jabla Jr. said EU-ASEP has allotted P70.5 million for Daneco, about P40 million for Doreco, and P30.6 million for Dasureco to provide access to renewable energy technologies for far-flung and off-grid areas.
Daneco acting general manager Mario Angelo Sotto welcomed the project as this would help boost the power coop’s electrification rate, particularly in areas that are not connected to the power grid.
Sotto said there are about 167 unviable areas within Daneco’s franchise area. Of the total, 147 unviable areas are found in Davao del Norte, and 20 unviable areas are in Compostela Valley.
Data from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) show there are still about 1,702 off-grid areas across the country with no access to electricity, of which 1,003 communities are located in Mindanao, while 142 areas and 557 areas in Luzon and Visayas, respectively, as of February 2018.
“Access to electricity is essential for economic and social development. We are thankful to the European Union and non-government organizations like Yamog for helping the Philippine government in bringing electricity to even the most remote areas in the country, particularly here in Mindanao,” NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong said.
