NEA, power coops connect 15% less users in H1

State-run National Electrification Administration (NEA) and electric cooperatives (ECs) logged 209,700 new consumer connections in the first half,15 percent lower compared to the same period last year.

Data from the NEA Information Technology and Communication Services Department show that the ECs recorded 209,781 additional consumer connections from January to June 2020.

The figure accounts for about 46 percent of the 460,000 corporate target for the year.

NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong, however, said the figures are 15 percent lower than the 281,246 consumer connections reported by the power cooperatives in the first six months of 2019.

Masongsong attributed the decline in new service connections to the community quarantine restrictions imposed by both the national and local governments in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

For the first quarter, the ECs delivered 134,435 new consumer connections. The number, however, went down 44 percent in the second quarter to 75,346 connections.

On a per island basis, Luzon registered a 43-percent reduction in new electricity connections, while Visayas and Mindanao registered declines of 41 percent and 47 percent, respectively.

“From the first quarter monthly average of 44,812 new connections, it dropped to 25,115 monthly during the second quarter. This accounts for 44 percent or 19,697 reduction in monthly new service connections,” NEA said.

Masongsong acknowledged that this year’s corporate target of 460,000 additional consumer connections may not be reached due restrictions on movement in place combined with non-availability of electrical construction materials due to the pandemic.

Despite this, Masongsong advised all electric cooperatives to still speed up the procurement process or maximize whatever available electrical materials in their respective warehouses, as well as mobilize their personnel, instead of waiting for the contractors.

NEA reported that additional connections brought the overall level of energization within the coverage areas of the 121 non-profit distribution utilities nationwide at 96.61 percent or 13,850,055 connections out of the 14,335,784 potential consumers based on the 2015 census.