Northern samar: The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has taken decisive action to assist the Northern Samar Electric Cooperative (Norsamelco) in managing operational challenges amid escalating electricity rates in the province by appointing a seasoned electric cooperative manager.
According to Philippines News Agency, NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda has appointed engineer Jerry Morastil, who is currently the general manager of the Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Dasureco), as the project supervisor for Norsamelco. This appointment follows requests made by Northern Samar Rep. Edwin Ongchuan and Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan for enhanced technical and management support to optimize the cooperative's operations.
Morastil, who was installed on July 14 by NEA Deputy Administrator Omar Mayo, is credited with stabilizing the operations of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative and the Palawan Electric Cooperative in the past. He was also instrumental in leading power restoration efforts after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.
The statement from the office of Northern Samar Rep. Edwin Ongchuan highlighted that the province's rising electricity rates are attributed to increased power demand, supply constraints due to power plant outages, and a growing dependence on the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), where electricity prices have recently surged.
Norsamelco's energy purchases have increased by over 1.8 million kilowatt-hours compared to the previous month, compounded by higher transmission-related charges, leading to elevated electricity costs.
To bolster power supply reliability, several energy projects are in progress, including the construction of a 3.18-megawatt hydroelectric power plant in San Isidro, slated for completion in 2028, and the installation of solar power facilities at Norsamelco's main office and in Barangay Lawaan, Laoang.
The statement further indicated that NEA's ongoing technical support is anticipated to enhance the electric cooperative's operations while ensuring adherence to national regulatory policies.
