State Grid Corporation of China, the technical partner of power grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, is spearheading efforts to provide solar power in Zambales that will benefit over 1,000 residents in the province.
The move came on the heels of Chinese President XI Jinping’s visit to the Philippines last year where he assured that China would continue to extend its support to the Philippines in various aspects of the business.
SGCC said that as part of improving relations between the two countries, it signed recently a memorandum of agreement with the National Electrification Administration and the Zambales II Electric Cooperative for a solar project.
Under the MOA, SGCC’s Brighten Up project will involve the installation of a solar panel system which will be turned over to Zameco II. The system will generate 76 kilowatts, which is capable of delivering power to more than 1,000 residents, including two schools with 108 students.
Through the partnership, Huawei Philippines will also donate communications equipment, providing the communities with telecommunications network coverage.
SGCC will then provide computers and school supplies for the two educational institutions covered by the agreement.
Chinese Embassy commercial counselor Jin Yuan said during the signing ceremony for the project that with the successful visit of President Xi to the Philippines in November 2018, relationships between the two nations were pushed to a higher level.
Jin said SGCC’s project was a crucial step in solidifying the good relations between the two countries and was only the beginning of more ways in which China and the Philippines could build support and enhance cooperation.
SGCC is also currently the technical partner of NGCP, where it provides assistance to the country’s transmission grid through skills development of NGCP’s engineers and providing NGCP with the latest technologies in modern transmission grid operations.
SGCC said that together with NGCP, the company would be able to reach more communities and create more opportunities to its partners not only from Zameco II but to the entire country.