The European Union, through the Access to Sustainable Energy Programme, agreed to co-finance seven renewable energy projects that would provide power to around 40,000 households in remote areas of the Philippines, the Energy Department said Thursday.
“Our goal is to provide electricity throughout the entire archipelago by 2020. These projects will bring more progress in Mindanao as thousands of Filipino families, particularly those living in far-flung areas of the region, will have access to power,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.
The launching of the renewable energy projects was led by Energy assistant secretary Redentor Delola, EU head of development cooperation Enrico Strampelli and Mindanao Development Authority Undersecretary Janet Lopoz.
Strampelli said the project awardees signed their respective contracts on Dec. 13, 2018, right after the extension of the ASEP implementation period.
“Over the next three years, ASEP will continue to work with the DOE in improving the lives of vulnerable communities in the country,” he said
Under the program, the EU will contribute 21 million euros to co-finance up to 80 percent of the projects which involve energy investments in several areas.
These include hybridization and income-generating activities through the introduction of productive uses of electricity; innovative provision of basic electricity supply and services for poor, disadvantaged areas; electrification for livelihood generation through the solar photovoltaic home system in the Bangsamoro area; support to decentralized and mini grids; capacity building on rural electrification; energy efficiency measures; and renewable energy management.
The seven projects include Strengthening Off-grid Lighting with Appropriate Renewable Energy Solutions which would grant 5 million euros to Mahintana Foundation Inc.
The Improving the Lives of People in Off-Grid Communities in Mindanao through the Provision of Sustainable Energy gave 4.5 million euros to Yamog organization while SolarBnB Microhotel & Island Livelihood Energizer—Platform allocated 3.9 million euros to Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas ng Pilipinas or WWF Philippines.
The EU also gave a 4.2-million-euro grant to United Nations Industrial Development Organization for its renewable energy technology for seaweed value added in Tawi-Tawi projects and 3.7-million-euro grant to People in Need for its Renewable Energy Access for off-grid Communities and Households.
The others projects are Renewable Energy for Livelihood and Youth which provided 2.2 million euros to Sequa and 3.8 million euros to Clean Energy Living Laboratories of Ateneo de Manila University. Alena Mae S. Flores
Around 150 participants from the Philippine energy sector, regional and local government, civil society organizations and the academe attended the event.