QUEZON CITY, August 18, 2014, (PIA) - - A strengthened partnership was formally forged between the Philippine National Oil Company- Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) for the development of Renewable Energy (RE) projects in the country.
This was made possible through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two parties on August 14, 2014 at the NEA Conference Room which also capped the 45th Anniversary of NEA.
Under the MOU, the PNOC-RC will facilitate application of service contracts, undertake feasibility studies, provide technical assistance and assist in the development of renewable projects. The NEA meanwhile will provide the linkage to the different local government units and private sectors that can be tapped for possible renewable energy projects.
Signatories of the MOU were PNOC-RC President and CEO Carlos Jose P. Gatmaitan, PNOC-RC Chief Legal Officer Atty. Josephine Cassandra J. Cui, NEA Administrator Edita S. Bueno and NEA Deputy Administrator Edgardo R. Piamonte.
“PNOC-RC is mandated to promote and accelerate development of renewable energy in the country,” PNOC-RC Business Development Manager Pamela Borlaza who was also present in the signing explained. “These include feasibility studies, securing permits and licenses and assisting private sectors seek local government units (LGUs) support. Thus the MOU will further hasten electrification in the countryside.”
NEA on the other hand is the agency tasked to improve the socio economic status of the people in the countryside through total electrification by providing technical, institutional and financial assistance to the electric cooperatives (EC’s) which in turn undertake power distribution on area coverage basis. The impact of power in rural areas has been reflected in the rise of small and medium industries and in the improvement of lives of rural folks.
The partnership is s now actively harnessing 615 megawatts of renewable energy (hydro, solar, biomass and wind) in the whole archipelago
The development and optimal use of the country’s resources is vital to the Philippines sustainable energy agenda amid the growing concerns over the country’s power supply. It is also vital to addressing the challenges of energy security, access to energy and climate change. (RJB/LFB/PIA-NCR)
This news article originally appears at the PIA website via this link.
