DOE reviewing electrification targets

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) will review the country’s electrification targets after Typhoon Odette caused massive damage in the power sector.

In a virtual briefing on Saturday, DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the recent typhoon – the strongest to hit the country this year – could dent the electrification efforts of the country.

The typhoon’s impact will add to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has already delayed several electrification projects due to movement restrictions imposed by the government and remittances to the national government.

“Yes, there will be an effect although not so much. We have to review the numbers because some figures will change,” the DOE official said.

“So yes, there will be an impact in electrification, but its minimal. We’ll have to review the numbers again,” he said.

Palawan, which was badly hit by the recent typhoon, still has quite a number for last mile electrification, Fuentebella said.

Meanwhile, there are also several areas in the Bangsamoro area that have yet  to get power connection, he said.

“We also have new technologies that we are using. It’s still possible, but there are strategies that would be changed in some areas to meet the target,” Fuentebella said

The Duterte administration is targeting 100 percent household electrification by June next year or at the end of its term.

Last July, state-run National Electrification Administration (NEA) said it could meet the target if based on the 2015 census as electric cooperatives (ECs) have already given electricity access to 99 percent of the total potential household.

Based on the 2015 census, there are 14.34 million households that need electricity access, of which 14.253 million are already connected as of end-2020.