Manila Electric Co.’s renewable energy subsidiary Spectrum is targeting to install 20 megawatts of solar rooftop projects next year, after successfully completing 10 MW of projects this year.
Spectrum is also rolling out the micro-grid systems in Meralco’s franchise area in Cagbalete island in Mauban, Quezon and Isla Verde in Batangas.
“We’re still working on that because it would require local government approval. The intention is really requested by DoE to see if we can provide energization for all, for all unserved areas, aside from being able to meet the increasing energy requirements of those in the core urban areas and these are areas such as Cagbalete and Isla Verde,” Meralco president Oscar Reyes said.
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi asked all distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to make sure that unserved and unenergized areas in their franchise had electricity.
Cusi said the companies’ failure to do so could lead to these areas “carved out” from their franchise and given to others.
Reyes said Meralco was committed to pursue the micro-grid development of the two areas under Meralco’s franchise area.
“We still have to size up the opportunity… People establish businesses, resorts, when you are there…That’s the beauty of power and water, development follows,” the executive said.
Spectrum president Jose Rainier Reyes said the company was conducting studies on present and future power demand of the said islands.
“Based on demand of islanders, what we do is we go to a community, we survey the community, as well as the livelihood, the source of income of the community and ask them really how we can help power their current requirements and their future requirements ,” he said.
Cagbaleta, an island in Mauban, Quezon, is a fast-rising tourist destination while Isla Verde is an island in Batangas which has become a diving destination for tourists. Both islands are under the franchise area of Meralco.