Expect the spur of microgrid development in rural areas in the country now that it has been institutionalized and the possibility of realizing total electrification of every household by year-end, Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian said on Tuesday.
“Ngayong ganap na itong batas, umaasa tayo na ang bawat sulok ng bansa ay magkakaroon na ng kuryente sa kani-kanilang mga bahay gamit ang makabagong teknolohiya sa pagtataguyod ng pribadong sector (Now that it became law, we’re hoping that every corner of the country will have electricity using modern technology being pushed by the private sector),” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian was the lone author in the Senate and sponsor of Republic Act 11646 or the Microgrid Systems Act that was signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on January 21.
Since microgrid system providers (MSPs) will now be allowed to operate in any area in the country, RA 11646 mandates the Department of Energy (DOE) to declare the unserved and underserved areas for electrification and service by prospective MSPs and pave the way for the entry of private sector accredited as MSPs as they won’t be required to obtain waivers from incumbent distribution utilities.
Unserved areas are those with no electricity access, while underserved areas are those whose electricity supply is less than 24 hours daily.
By employing other technologies to provide reliable electricity service, the Senate Energy Committee chairperson said the process of electrification will now be expedited.
A microgrid can be powered by small-scale power generation facilities or decentralized power generation (DPG), batteries, and renewable sources such as solar and wind.
“Napapanahon ang pagsasabatas nito dahil ang mga kasuluksulukang lugar sa bansa na hindi naaabot ng mga linya ng kuryente ay maiilawan na gamit ang teknolohiyang microgrid (This law is timely because areas that have no electricity can now be reached using microgrid technology),” Gatchalian said.
Under the new law, he said even areas ravaged by typhoons, the rehabilitation of transmission lines, towers and electric posts will be expedited in the areas that have microgrid.
Source: Philippines News Agency
