Romblon electric co-op vows to expand RE projects as it seeks wider franchise
By Alena Mae S. Flores – March 21, 2024, 7:35 pm
from manilastandard.net
Romblon Electric Cooperative Inc. (Romelco) said Thursday it plans to deploy more renewable energy projects to meet the growing demand of energy in the province.
Romelco general manager Rene Fajilagutan announced the electric cooperative’s RE expansion program during the Senate Committee on Public Services hearing on the legislative franchise application of the electric cooperative (EC).
The EC has an energy mix of 73-percent diesel and 27-percent renewable energy.
Among its RE projects are the 900-kilowatt wind turbines located on the hills of Barangays Agnay, Bagacay and Lonos; 1.35-megawatt mini hydro power plant in Cantingas, San Fernando, Sibuyan Island; 50-kW solar hybrid power plant in Cobrador Island; 18-kW biomass gasifier power plant in Barangay Alad; and 200-kW grid-tied solar roof mounted project.
It plans to deploy 1.6-MW solar and 2.735-MW wind energy projects along with the 1.4-MW energy storage system in the island municipalities of Banton, Concepcion and Corcuera.
The Senate Committee chaired by Senator Grace Poe endorsed for approval the Senate Bill No. 1218 on March 5 to grant Romelco a franchise to provide electricity on Banton, Corcuera and Concepcion Islands of Romblon.
Romelco serves the municipalities of Romblon, San Fernando, Cajidiocan, Magdiwang, Banton, Corcuera and Concepcion and fully energized all 107 barangays within its franchise area.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, the main sponsor of the bill in the Senate, highlighted Romelco’s impressive track record of delivering electricity to the residents of Romblon.
Hontiveros also lauded the EC for promoting RE to help reduce electricity costs for consumers.
“With Romelco’s exceptional track record across all facets of its operations, the residents of Banton, Corcuera, and Concepcion, who have been deprived of affordable and reliable power for decades, are now assured of quality and sustainable electricity services,” Hontiveros said.
Established on June 14, 1989, Romelco’s mission is to generate 90 percent of all its electricity from RE sources, such as solar, wind, hydro and biomass.
It has been classified as a large EC and categorized as Triple A by the National Electrification Administration.
