Press Release
04 November 2019
ERC chair graces Napocor’s 83rd anniversary, calls on for more hybrid power systems in SPUG
As we regulate the power sector and the Department of Energy comes up with policies, you are the heart of the government’s power sector, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera said before the employees of the National Power Corporation (Napocor).
In her keynote address on the occasion of Napocor’s 83rd anniversary, Devanadera said that the government corporation’s role in bringing electricity to the farthest islands and communities in the country is undeniably significant to the overall progress of the country.
Nonetheless, the ERC chair said that while Napocor performs this role and continue to reach new areas, it should also proactively delve into hybrid renewable energy.
“In a study we conducted at the ERC, we infer that renewable energy sources can bring down the rates. For this, we need to grasp new technologies that will allow us to give better service at a lower price,” said Devanadera.
This call of the ERC, as aptly suited to the anniversary theme ‘Engaging the Challenge’ reinforced Napocor’s earlier commitment to submit to the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.
In his message, Napocor President and CEO Pio J. Benavidez rallied Napocor employees nationwide to continue stepping up to the growing power needs and to the developing technology in renewable energy.
Currently, Napocor is set to sync its 120-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar installation with energy storage system in Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte to the local power grid.
Likewise, as contained in its Missionary Electrification Plan, Napocor have already subjected 17 areas for hybridization with solar PV and battery capacity of 1.795 MWp and 1.620 MWh in 2020.
As mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, Napocor powers the off-grid islands through its 276 Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) plants which services 826,000 households in the country. END
