Jica tapped for cooperatives’ systems loss reduction project

MANILA, Phillipines—State-run National Electrification Administration has tapped the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) for a technical cooperation project, which is aimed at reducing systems losses and improving the operational efficiencies of electric cooperatives.

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

NEA said it was important to bring down systems losses—or power lost either in transmission through power lines or pilferage— as it was part of a comprehensive approach to mitigate the total amount of energy losses from power generation to distribution. This will bring down the cost of systems loss charges, which are being billed to end-users of electricity.

One of the key outputs of the technical project is 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.

Takahiro Sasaki, chief representative of Jica Philippines, said he expected the project to help electric cooperatives improve their systems-loss management capability.

“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,” said NEA Administrator Edita S. Bueno.

Systems losses, on the average, remain below the cap of 13 percent set by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

“With the System Loss Reduction Manual as a tool, more ECs are expected to further reduce their losses and improve their technical performance,” the NEA added.—Amy R. Remo