NEA calls on electric coops to develop new power plants

The National Electrification Administration over the weekend called on local electric cooperatives to diversify power sources, in a bid to cater to the growing demand for electricity.

NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong yesterday urged electric cooperatives to look into developing solar, hydro, and biomass power plants.

"Nananawagan tayo sa mga electric cooperative under the supervision of the NEA na mag-develop kung pwede taon-taon kahit man lang tig-isang megawatt na solar [plant] eh, mayroon tayong 121 electric cooperatives," he said in an interview on GMA Super Radyo dzBB.

"Biro mo 'yun, kung taon-taon magkakaroon sila ng additional capacity na 1MW na solar [plant]," he pointed out.

He also called on local cooperatives to look into diversifying further into hydro and biomass plants to increase their respective capacities.

"Nananawagan rin tayo na baka puwedeng mag-develop sila ng mga hydropower plant sa lugar nila sa bawat probinsya, at puwede rin mag-develop ng mga tinatawag nating biomass na power plant dahil makakatulong talaga sa environment."

The Department of Energy (DOE) in 2017 already cited the need to expand the country's liquefied natural gas (LNG) capability to accommodate and import shipments.

Efforts at expanding power capacities are being pushed as the Malampaya gas field —which provides up to 30% of the power generation needs of Luzon —will only last until 2024.

Likewise, Masongsong called on consumers to save on electricity and avoid unnecessary use of appliances, saying power cuts are likely in April and May.