Masbate villages get solar energy

MANILA, Philippines - A private energy firm has put up 5,129 solar panels in impoverished barangays in Masbate province.                     

Paris Manila Technology Corp. (Pamatec) has executed the Philippine Rural Electrification Service (PRES) through a French loan worth 17.5-million euro borrowed by the National Power Corp.                       

The project, completed last December, provides an electricity rationing system of 200 kilowatt-hours per day for houses fitted with solar panels.

At night, residents get their power supply from batteries, which can last for three to four years.                                             

“The solar panels do not cause pollution. The sun is the source of electricity that reaches the far-flung barangays. It uses renewable energy,” said Pamatec project engineer Ireneo Abua. 

The government has been promoting renewable sources of energy like solar energy to lessen the country’s dependence on fossil fuel.

In 2008, Congress passed the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which encourages investments in renewable sources of power. Latest figures from the Department of Energy, however, showed that renewable energy like solar energy only makes up less than a percent of the country’s energy mix.

Environmentalists have said the use of renewable and alternative energy would reduce the use of fossil fuel, which has been blamed for global warming.

The Philippines has been perceived as a “climate-taker,” or a country affected by the greenhouse emissions of developed countries.

Abua said solar panels are suited to communities where houses are built far apart.

Houses fitted with solar panels are allowed to use 200 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day. After the usage limit is reached, the electricity supply automatically switches off. Households, therefore, would have to learn to prioritize tasks that require electricity.

Masbateños, nevertheless, appreciate the implementation of the project because it has given them sources of livelihood and amusement.

In Barangay Jumarawon, which has had solar panels since 2008, residents were able to put up sari-sari stores, watch their favorite television shows, and sing karaoke.

“The electricity allowed the children here to study well. Before, their parents had to spend for kerosene lamps. It was costly for them,” said barangay chairman Critito Bulandra.

“Before, some parents had to ask their children to stop studying at around 7 p.m. because they want to save money,” he added.

Aside from the installation of solar panels, Pamatec also installed a diesel-powered mini-grid with 11,518 connections.

Pamatec also plans to implement a blended fuels project for the mini-grid using copra. The equipment for the extraction of biofuel is expected to arrive in September.

The project has provided power to 665 barangay facilities and commercial establishments and 18,000 households. Pamatec plans to put up at least 1,000 more units in Masbate by the end of 2011.

“Many people have expressed interest in the solar panels. They are asking us if we can also install solar panels in their homes,” Abua said.