NEA taps JICA expertise to reduce systems losses of power cooperatives

MANILA, Philippines—The state-run National Electrification Administration has tapped Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a technical cooperation project aimed at reducing systems losses and improving the operational efficiencies of electric cooperatives.

JICA also tapped the expertise of the Tokyo Electric Power Co. (Tepco) for the project entitled, “System Loss Reduction for Philippine Electric Cooperatives,” NEA said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

NEA stressed the significance of bringing down the systems losses—or power lost either in transmission through power lines or pilferage—as this would be a “comprehensive approach to mitigate the total amount of energy losses from power generation to distribution.” This will likewise bring down the cost of systems loss charges, which are being billed to end power consumers.

One of the key outputs of technical project was the “System Loss Reduction Manual,” which aims to develop the technical capability and planning strategies of both the NEA and the electric cooperatives, in reducing distribution system losses. This manual is being launched on Thursday, through a final workshop being conducted for about 80 electric cooperatives.

Takahiro Sasaki, chief representative of JICA Philippines, said he expected the project to serve as a means to attain the desired end of a better system loss management of local electric cooperatives.

“The manual and the forum are just tools to face the challenges of effective system loss management. Electric cooperatives should make extensive use of the manual to better manage their system losses for the benefit of the general public,” Sasaki said.

“We enjoin all electric cooperatives to make use of the Manual on System Loss Reduction to help them in their technical operation, thus ensuring the continuing reduction of their system losses,” added NEA Administrator Edita S. Bueno.

NEA previously established the System Loss Reduction Program (SLRP) through which the electric cooperatives’ system losses are closely monitored. On the national average, the system loss has always been within the cap of 13 percent as set by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Currently, roughly 70 percent of the electric cooperatives have system losses below the 13-percent cap, while 19 other electric coops have posted single-digit system losses.

“With the System Loss Reduction Manual as a tool, more electric cooperatives are expected to reduce their losses and improve their technical performance,” the NEA added.