The power plant is seen to provide 24/7 electrification to the island municipalities of Sibutu and Sitangkai in Tawi-tawi. This initiative is part of the Renewable Energy Technology for Seaweeds Value-Added (RETS) project, a partnership between MinDA, the EU, and UNIDO, and local actors such as the Provincial Local Government of Tawi-Tawi, MAFAR-BARMM, MSU Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, the Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative (TAWELCO), and AIEC Island Light and Water Corp.
With a total investment of over PHP 225.5 million of which PHP168.5 million were provided by the EU, RETS is expected to extend the supply of electricity services in these island municipalities that are home to about 15,000 seaweed farmers.
The project also integrates efforts to improve livelihoods by enhancing the quality and value of seaweeds produced by the communities.
“The EU is proud to support the household electrification goals of the Philippine government, ultimately contributing to the sustainable socio-economic development and reduction of poverty.” said EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron.
“The EU Delegation has long been MinDA’s partner for peace and development. We are grateful to have the same support from them in our pursuit of a balanced and sustainable energy mix for Mindanao, especially in the off-grid communities,” said MinDA Secretary Maria Belen S. Acosta.
“When we provide more income-generating activities, we are also improving the households’ ability to pay for the energy service, which contributes to the sustainability of the project,” Acosta added.
Background: RETS is funded by the European Union (EU) under its larger (EUR 66 million, PHP 3 billion) Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP). ASEP is the EU’s flagship programme in the promotion of renewable energy. With a total investment of EUR 66 million (PHP 4 billion) for 2016 to 2022, ASEP supports rural electrification in off grid, remote areas through renewable energy -using solar home systems or hydropower- promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The support provided by ASEP combines investment funding, technical assistance and capacity building and grants for pro-poor and climate resilient solutions. ASEP’s main partner institutions are the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Electrification Administration and the Climate Change Commission, as well as CSOs for the implementation of ASEP grants. The bulk of ASEP funding is concentrated in Mindanao.
