The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has collaborated with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Association of Isolated Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AIEC) to develop a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system for off-grid electric cooperatives (ECs).

NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. and AIEC President Rene Fajilagutan to formalize the partnership during a signing ceremony held on Thursday, May 23, at the NEA office in Quezon City.

The MOU states that all parties agree to mutually provide technical assistance and work together to establish and develop a SCADA system for AIEC’s 44 Member ECs. A technical working group (TWG) shall be formed to carry out the objectives of the agreement.

In the power distribution sector, a SCADA system functions as the main control center, responsible for monitoring and regulating various electrical parameters. This helps the ECs optimize their systems to ensure efficient and reliable service for their member-consumer-owners.

Under the MOU, the NEA is tasked with providing technical support and sharing relevant data to ensure that the intended SCADA system is compatible with its Digital Dashboard Command Center (DDCC).

The DDCC is one of the flagship projects of the state-owned corporation under the Almeda administration, which aims to streamline data between the NEA Business Intelligence Technology and the SCADA systems of ECs on a real-time basis.

The DOST shall carry out its responsibilities under the MOU primarily through its CARAGA and Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) Offices. They are expected to provide the necessary technical consultancies and collaborative assistance to develop the intended SCADA Software.

Serving as points of contacts for the parties are Fajilagutan for AIEC, DOST-ASTI Director Franz De Leon, DOST-Caraga Regional Director Noel Ajoc, and NEA Project Director for DDCC Rod Padua. ###