Interactive Workshop Empowers Off-Grid Electric Cooperatives (ECs) to Accelerate Decarbonization
Interactive Workshop Empowers Off-Grid Electric Cooperatives (ECs) to Accelerate Decarbonization
Nian Sayoc, Associate
Ivan Galura, Senior Associate
Nian Sayoc, Associate
Ivan Galura, Senior Associate
12 August 2024, Manila, Philippines – Climate Smart Ventures (CSV) in collaboration with a consortium of partners conducted a workshop on July 24-25 addressing the pressing challenges faced by off-grid areas in the Philippines. The consortium, comprised of CSV and the Center for Empowerment, Innovation, and Training on Renewable Energy (CentRE), the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), Mott MacDonald, and supported by Tara Climate Foundation, held the event “Luzon Workshop on Hybrid Renewable Energy System Development and Capital Planning & Fundraising for Off-Grid Electric Cooperatives (ECs)” at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria.
Attendees included representatives from electric cooperatives, government, private sector, and civil society organizations. A key takeaway from the workshop is that hybridization of off-grid areas can significantly reduce power costs for island and off-grid consumers in the Philippines, while simultaneously unlocking socioeconomic benefits and livelihood opportunities. Hybridization in this context involves the integration of renewable energy (RE) and/or battery storage into the existing diesel energy infrastructure.
The workshop is part of a three-year project to help facilitate the modernization of EC’s respective off-grid areas. It is the first of a series of regional workshops, with a Visayas-Mindanao leg slated by end-2024. The broader initiative is being conducted in consultation with the National Electrification Administration and the Department of Energy.
Feedback from EC participants throughout the project has underscored the importance of innovation and confidence in adopting RE projects. To address these concerns, the workshop focused on enhancing in-house expertise and exposure. Event speakers specifically discussed grid modernization and hybridization strategies through technical and financial training sessions, along with case studies and practical hands-on exercises. Topics included regulatory and policy review, technologies and strategies for hybridization, financial management and planning, and fundraising.
The workshop featured a series of talks by public and private sector leaders, including:
- Matthew A. Carpio, Head of Transaction Advisory, Climate Smart Ventures
- Rene Fajilagutan, General Manager, Romblon Electric Cooperative
- Flordeliza P. Geslani, Supervising Energy Regulation Officer – Tariffs & Rates Division, Energy Regulatory Commission
- Erel Narida, President and CEO, One Renewable Energy Enterprise
- Silver Navarro, Senior Advisor, Climate Smart Ventures
- John Paul S. Pagtalunan, Senior Engineer A – Renewable Energy Development Division, National Electrification Administration
- Quintin Pastrana, President, WEnergy Power Pilipinas
- Jonathan B. Teodosio, Senior Science Research Specialist – Technical Services Management Division, Department of Energy – Renewable Energy Management Bureau
Rene Fajilagutan (General Manager, Romblon Electric Cooperative)
Silver Navarro, Senior Advisor at CSV, provided key information on global and local trends in hybridization technology, while CSV’s Head of Transaction Advisory Matthew Carpio discussed key aspects that ECs need to consider in engaging potential financing partners to raise capital for their projects.
Private developers of RE projects, including Rene Fajilagutan of Romblon Electric Cooperative, Erel Narida of One Renewable Energy Enterprise, and Quintin Pastrana of WEnergy Power Pilipinas, shared their respective experiences in implementing RE projects in various off-grid areas across the country. They emphasized the importance of a substantive and consistent engagement with local communities to ensure project success.
John Paul S. Pagtalunan and Jonathan B. Teodosio discussed the various trainings and programs provided by the National Electrification Administration and the Department of Energy to support off-grid ECs in hybridizing their power generation sources. Additionally, Flordeliza P. Geslani of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) outlined the documentation requirements and timetable that off-grid ECs need to comply with when filing their Power Purchase Agreements for approval by the ERC in the context of hybridization projects.
EC representatives included general managers, board members, as well as personnel from the technical and financial services and corporate planning departments from the following ECs:
- Albay Electric Cooperative. Inc. (ALECO)
- Aurora Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AURELCO)
- Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BATELEC II)
- Busuanga Island Electric Cooperative, Inc (BISELCO)
- Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CANORECO)
- Isabela II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ISELCO II)
- Lubang Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LUBELCO)
- Marinduque Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MARELCO)
- Masbate Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MASELCO)
- Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc. (OMECO)
- Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ORMECO)
- Palawan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PALECO)
- Quezon II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (QUEZELCO II)
- Romblon Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ROMELCO)
- Tablas Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TIELCO)
- Ticao Island Electric Cooperative Inc. (TISELCO)
The workshop built upon the previously released Grid Modernization and Hybridization Guidebook.
**About Climate Smart Ventures**
Climate Smart Ventures (CSV) is an advisory firm advancing the energy transition in Asia. Our expertise and projects span coal to clean utility-level energy transition, industrial decarbonization, grid transformation, transition finance, and government-level policy recommendations. We also provide ESG and sustainability advisory services, focused on decarbonization and management of environmental and social impacts. Ecosystem building and collaboration are key elements of our firm, which partners closely with the region’s leading corporates and power portfolio owners, investors, off-takers, and others. For more information, visit our website https://climatesmartventures.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Nian Sayoc