With the recent successful implementation of the Integration of Productive Uses of Renewable Energy (I-PURE) program in Mindanao, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) looks forward to improving the electrification rate of the entire island, which is currently at 80 percent.

NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda issued this statement Thursday last week, 09 November 2023, when he attended the switch-on and building marker unveiling ceremonies of several key I-PURE projects in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.

In his remarks, the Administrator took note of the opportunities that the entire I-PURE program, and other similar projects, would bring in terms of addressing the challenge of 100 percent total electrification by 2028.

“It’s a big challenge for us in NEA. It’s a big challenge for the 121 electric cooperatives (ECs). But I always tell my colleagues in NEA and the electric cooperatives: challenge is accepted. We will do this and one of the areas of concern, really, is in the island of Mindanao,” Administrator Almeda said.

He pointed specifically to the provinces within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), saying this is where he would need the help of all the general managers in successful Mindanao power co-ops. “We have to work double time,” he noted.

Latest energization figures from the NEA Database Management and Program Control Division showed that the BARMM ECs are currently at a 40-percent electrification rate, covering 282,330 households out of 703,499 potential connections.

Administrator Almeda, meanwhile, acknowledged the support of Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SUKELCO), which has already been helping its fellow co-ops nearby, such as the Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MAGELCO).

I-PURE Mindanao was accomplished through a grant from the European Union-Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (EU-ASEP) in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE), the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and various local government units.

The projects have so far energized at least 3,077 off-grid households out of the 5,261 targets through photovoltaic mainstreaming under the franchise areas of Cotabato Electric Cooperative, Inc. (COTELCO) and South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SOCOTECO II).

According to the NEA Renewable Energy Development Division, the remaining 2,184 electrification projects are still ongoing through the Barangay Line Enhancement Program under the service area of Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TAWELCO).

“As I have stated before, power precedes progress. With the various components of this endeavor, we are able to provide not only access to electricity, but also a means of livelihood to the communities here in Mindanao,” Administrator Almeda said.

The NEA chief thanked the EU-ASEP and everyone involved in the success of the I-PURE projects, which he considered as important milestones in the history of the rural electrification program. “It is my hope to implement more projects like this,” the Administrator added. ###