CORE trains government & electric cooperatives in the Philippines on solar hybrid mini-grid system design
The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing developing countries: poverty is in decline, access to energy is rising and, with that, demand for energy services. However, fossil fuels still dominate the energy system, accounting for 78% of power generation in 2022.
In an innovative effort to advance sustainable national electrification in the Philippines, the CORE initiative, under the management of ARE, has launched a pioneering training project on mini-grid system design with a focus on renewable energy optimisation. This project, a collaboration with the National Electrification Administration of the Philippines (NEA), signifies a landmark move towards bolstering the capabilities of electric cooperatives across the nation, leveraging solar hybrid mini-grid technology to fulfil the vision of affordable and sustainable electrification for all.
CORE’s mission, to enable resilient rural and peri-urban communities by emphasising safety, efficiency, and reliability in decentralised electrification, finds a powerful expression in this project. The NEA, revitalised and refocused towards enhancing the efficiency, reliability, and global competitiveness of the Philippines’ rural electrification programme, stands as an ideal partner in this venture. Together, CORE and NEA aim to equip local electric cooperatives with the skills and knowledge necessary to design, evaluate, and implement solar hybrid mini-grid systems effectively.
The training programme is structured in two legs: a Training-of-Trainers (ToT) session conducted for key NEA staff on 19-21 March 2024, followed by a broader training session for representatives from 30 electric cooperatives, led by these newly trained NEA staff. This cascading knowledge transfer model ensures a comprehensive coverage, maximising the impact of the training. The focus is on optimising renewable energy resources, developing feasibility studies, and evaluating project proposals from the private sector, tailored specifically to the Philippines’ unique context.
– CORE