Power business considers remote Negros microgrid projects

Cesafi News | Power business considers remote Negros microgrid projects | Dumaguete City – The Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative II (NORECO II) will commence microgrid projects in inaccessible areas this year as part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s entire electrification ambition.

At a Kapihan sa PIA discussion on Wednesday, Lawyer Fe Marie Dicen, NORECO II general manager, claimed they have identified certain non-viable places, including Dauin town’s Apo Island, a popular dive spot.

“We have inspected Apo Island and submarine cables are too expensive to connect it to our grid. We will soon build a microgrid to power the island, Dicen remarked.

She said the microgrid would use renewable energy, most likely solar, which is most practicable in Apo Island. NORECO II has spoken to a wind energy business, but the latter would require a technical study.

Dicen claimed the major power transmission company, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), will no longer carry the microgrid.

The microgrid law determines power rates, she said.

Dicen said an agreement with Apo Island’s local administration is being negotiated.

The NORECO II general manager said they want 100% electrification by 2025 “so that we have enough time to complete everything before the President’s 2028 target”.

NORECO II spans Negros Oriental’s 2nd and 3rd districts.

Dicen said 18 more conflict-area sitios or sub-villages under NORECO II will be powered this year.

The Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict prioritizes Barangays Mantikil and Apoloy in Siaton town.

Dicen stated that 14 more Sta. Catalina and Siaton neighborhoods were revitalized this year.

In the same forum, NORECO I officer-in-charge Engineer Elvin Dennoyo said they are also doing the same in TF-ELCAC barangays, but he could not offer data. (via PNA)