Palawan’s minigrid shows total electrification doable
Sabang Renewable Energy Corp. (SREC) is readying the operation of its hybrid minigrid system in an area where the Puerto Princesa Underground River is located, showcasing how such systems could help achieve total electrification in the Philippines.
SREC, a joint venture of Vivant Corp., WEnergy Global, and Gigawatt Power Inc., intends to provide round-the-clock electricity to households and businesses in Barangay Cabayugan in Puerto Princesa City.
The hybrid power plant combines a 1.4-megawatt solar photovoltaic installation with a 2.3-MW battery storage system and a 1.2-MW diesel-fired generator.
Such a setup, under optimal conditions, is expected to provide power to 10 public buildings, 18 small businesses, 19 hotels and restaurants and 583 households.
The project is also expected to help avoid the emission of at least 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.
“We want to provide Sitio Sabang and Barangay Cabayugan with reliable electricity 24/7 at the most competitive rate possible,” SREC chair Emil Garcia said in a statement.
“Since we will be the model for future minigrids in the country, we have spared no expense or effort in ensuring that we give the best service,” Garcia said.
“Minigrids will play an important role in ensuring and accelerating the total electrification of the country,” Renewable Energy Association of the Philippines president Erel Narida said. “Being an archipelagic country, centralized power generation can be challenging if not costly.”
According to the Department of Energy, about 2.8 million households or 19 percent of all households in the Philippines still have no access to electricity.
“Most of these households are located in Visayas and Mindanao, in small islands, either underserved using expensive diesel (generators) with limited operating or totally unserved,” Narida said.
