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By Lenie Lectura, November 21 2018; Business Mirror
https://businessmirror.com.ph/doe-racing-to-bring-electricity-to-all-rural-areas-by-2020/
Image Credit to Rappler
The Department of Energy (DOE) said it will assemble a team that would help the agency bring electricity to all households, particularly in rural areas, by 2020.
Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi met with officials and board of directors of the National Electrification Administration and Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. last Monday to discuss the recent developments and status of electrification.
“Our battle cry is to provide electricity for all. We have to rush providing electricity. By 2020 all households must have electricity based on the 2015 census,” Cusi said.
He also sought the electric cooperatives’ help and “honest efforts” to engage the DOE with the processes that need to be improved.
Moreover, he urged the cooperation of energy regulatory agencies in coming up with a master plan to be submitted by the end of the month.
Cusi said there is a need to create a project management team to be headed by Assistant SecretaryRedentor E. Delola and Director Mario C. Marasigan.
“The entire energy family is working together to enhance measures on how to make energy services more reliable and sustainable,” said the energy chief.
Earlier, Cusi vowed to remove the barriers to rural electrification after President Duterte directed the DOE and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to focus on the electrification of the unserved areas of the country.
The President told the agencies that he wanted to remove the barriers that are blocking the entry of the private sector to provide better options and more choices for communities.
The President instructed the DOE and the ERC to initiate bold executive actions to allow the entry of the private sector so that the Filipino consumers can have access to adequate and affordableelectricity that will redound to more economic and social benefits.
“The wisdom of the President is using emerging technologies targeting far-flung barangays which have had no power. The DOE is fully committed in pursuing his directive,” Cusi said.
Last month, 16 foreign firms expressed interest to partner with electric cooperatives to put up clean-energy mini grids.
This was according to the post-event survey conducted by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) that co-organized the first-ever Philippines Mini-grid Business-to-Business (B2B) Forum in Manila.
More than 280 technology providers, project developers and investors from Asia, Europe and North America took part in the Philippines Mini-grid B2B forum.