Napocor to deploy more solar projects

State-run National Power Corp. (Napocor) is looking to roll out a total of 745-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in six areas this year.

These are in Sabtang and Itbayat, Batanes with 180 kWp each; 30 kWp in in Palumbanes, Catanduanes; 150 kWp in Palanan, Isabela; 55 kWh in Cuaming Bohol; and 150 kWh in Maripipi, Biliran.

Of the six projects, the one in Itbayat is still finalizing the terms of reference while the others are already in the procurement process.

Napocor is also exploring the feasibility of harnessing wind and mini-hydro resources in its updated missionary electrification plan (MEP) starting this year.

The agency plans to integrate renewable energy (RE) in all Small Power Utilities Group areas, but the implementation will be staggered due to budget constraints.

“The National Power Board approved the 2022-2026 MEP and endorsed its submission to the Department of Energy (DOE) on Jan. 21, 2022. To date, [Napocor] is preparing for the transmittal of the MEP to DOE,” Napocor told The STAR.

Napocor is also implementing its own PV mainstreaming program, “which involves the provision of Solar Home Systems (SHS) to 3,220 households for CY 2022 and 2,181 households for CY2023, in coordination with the Department of Energy, National Electrification Administration, and the ECs/LGUs for the electrification endeavors.”

The state-run agency is looking at other renewable energy (RE) sources such as wind and mini/ micro hydro for power generation.

“Other RE sources like wind and mini/micro hydro are still under resource assessment stage,” it said.

The agency installed a wind monitoring tower (WMT) in Palumbanes, Catanduanes in July last year and is also planning to install in Itbayat in Batanes, Dibay-Dilam in Cagayan, Palanan in Isabela and Minabel in Cagayan this year.

For next year, it plans to put up WMTs in four areas, namely Maconacon in Isabela, Balatubat in Cagayan, Jomalig in Quezon and Patnanungan in Quezon.

Napocor, as mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or Republic Act 9136, is tasked to perform missionary electrification in the farthest communities and islands not connected to the main grid.

It manages and operates the transmission line systems of six provinces such as Palawan, Catanduanes, Masbate, Marinduque, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.

Napocor operates 276 SPUG plants in around 180 municipalities across 35 provinces in the country.