Lopez powers 3 CamSur islands

By Myrna M. Velasco – December 17, 2021, 5:16 PM
from Manila Bulletin

Lopez-led FP Island Energy Corporation, a subsidiary of First Philippine Holdings Corporation (FPHC), has made possible the long-desired reliable electricity services in at least three island-domains in Camarines Sur province.

The areas that can now enjoy round-the-clock power supply are the islands of Haponan and Lahuy in Caramoan as well as Quinasalag in the Garchitorena town of the province.

“The three islands and their estimated 15,000 residents are not connected to the main Luzon electricity grids, because they are located far off the coast,” the Lopez firm explained.

The microgrid developer-firm similarly emphasized that “in lieu of billing customers every month, FP Island will introduce a prepaid metering system that allows a customer to manage power consumption in a manner akin to buying prepaid cellphone loads.”

The entry of FP Island in the three island-domains in that part of the Bicol region had been via the qualified third party (QTP) program of the Department of Energy (DOE), which is a policy that allows the entry of third party private sector provider if an area cannot be energized by a servicing distribution utility or if this is an island-grid.

Martin A. Lacdao, business development officer of FP Island, asserted “the round-the-clock electricity could spawn other livelihood opportunities in the island,” adding that such new development on their improved energy services “could attract investors keen on developing the area’s potential as an eco-tourism site.”

As a QTP, it was pointed out that FP Island was able to install a microgrid in each of the three islands in Lahuy, Haponan and Quinasalag.

“This small and localized electricity network generates and distributes its own 24/7 or continuous electricity from a hybrid or combination of renewable energy, which is solar with battery; and conventional power sources (a diesel generator set),” the Lopez-owned microgrid firm underscored.

Prior to the commencement of operation of the microgrid system last December 10, it was noted that the residents in these islands had to be served by generator sets, but of which availability can only last for 8-16 hours on a daily basis, hence, the residents still suffered streak of sporadic blackouts.

“To solve the problem, the DOE designated FP Island as the QTP or alternative service provider for the islands at the conclusion of a competitive selection process,” the Lopez company indicated.

Victor Emmanuel B. Santos, president of FP Island, said the Lopez group pursued the electrification undertaking in the islands “because they are aligned with our group’s new mission, which is forging collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future.”

He further stressed “I have very high hopes the microgrids will help uplift the lives of the residents in the islands, most of whom make a living by fishing.”

FP Island said “the solar component of the microgrid works when the sun shines, while the battery system takes over at night or when clouds cover the sun,” noting further that “in instances when the battery drains and sunlight is not available, the diesel generator provides back-up power for continuous availability of electricity in microgrids.”

As designed, the FP Island microgrids “have computerized smart controller, which manages the smooth shift of electricity from one energy source to the other, thereby, assuring the flow of an uninterrupted supply of electricity.”