Napocor to spend P5.1B for off-grid areas

MANILA, Philippines - State-run National Power Corp. (Napocor) plans to spend P5.12 billion over the next three years to put up a total of 91,087 megawatts in additional capacity in missionary or off grid areas, data from the company showed.

Napocor will spend an estimated P1.337 billion for the power facilities, the state power firm said.

Furthermore, Napocor data showed that the company is also eyeing to put up a total of 526.55 circuit-kilometers of transmission lines, with a projected cost of P2.896 billion.

To complement the transmission lines, Napocor is also allocating P882 million to put up substations.

These projects are aimed at increasing operating hours in select areas.

Aside from these initiatives, Napocor data showed that the company would also develop a renewable energy program for off-grid areas or far flung villages.

Toward this end, Napocor may adopt photovoltaic systems to increase operating hours in areas where access to fuel or the delivery of fuel is costly and difficult.

Napocor has been implementing various projects to improve its operations.

The company is on track to meeting its P1-billion target this year, its president, Ma. Gladys Sta. Rita, earlier said.

In the first half of this year, Napocor already surpassed the full-year 2012 income of P398 million, she said.

“I think that (P1 billion) is attainable through prudent operations and efficient collection (of debts owed to Napocor),” Sta. Rita said.

Many distribution utilities and cooperatives still owe Napocor a whopping P4.5 billion in unpaid fees.