Napocor plans to build four more solar photovoltaic-diesel hybrids in remote areas as a part of its 2021-2025 Missionary Electrification Plan

State-run National Power Corp. (Napocor) is planning to build four more solar photovoltaic-diesel hybrids in its Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) plants located in remote areas within the country as a part of its 2021-2025 Missionary Electrification Plan.

The 2021-2025 Missionary Electrification Plan details how renewable energy, particularly solar hybrids, would be integrated into the company’s existing SPUG plants over the next five years.

“For this year, we aim to duplicate the success of our Limasawa Solar PV-Diesel hybridization in Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte to four other areas: Cuaming, Bohol (55 kWp), Palumbanes, Catanduanes (40 kWp), Sabtang, Batanes (250 kWp), and Itbayat, Batanes (250 kWp),” said Napocor President and CEO Pio Benavidez. (via Phil Star)

Napocor completed its pilot hybridization project in Limasawa in 2019. It was synced to the Limasawa Diesel Power Plant in February 2020.

Since the hybrid system began operating, there have reported a reduction in the cost of electricity by an average of ₱0.97 per kilowatt-hour and fuel savings of about 31,000 liters of diesel at an estimated value of ₱970,000. Both calculations were based on the actual fuel consumption and delivered price and do not account for the fixed operating costs of the power facility.

Napocor estimates based on the projected operation of Limasawa DPP for the next five years, the estimated average fuel savings is 45,800 liters per year or ₱1,750,000 million per year.

Given the increase in fuel prices and decrease in the power production of the solar PV and its battery system, the new hybrid system is projected to reduce the cost of electricity at an average of ₱1.33 per kilowatt-hour and allow an average diesel fuel savings of 38,700 liters per year. They also estimate a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions at 101,820 kg per year.

“With these promising developments and in response to the Department of Energy’s strategic directive of promoting a low carbon future, Napocor will be more proactive in building and integrating renewable energy in our SPUG areas,” said Benavidez. (via Phil Star)

Napocor, as mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or Republic Act 9136, is tasked to perform missionary electrification in the farthest communities and islands. The company currently operates 276 SPUG plants in 189 municipalities across 35 provinces in the country.

SOURCE: Phil Star