SOLARES Project Participates in ASEP-PVM Project Harmonization Meeting

The SOLARES project staff headed by Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, Project Manager, participated in the Solar PV Mainstreaming Project Joint Meeting/Window 2 Design Workshop held at Socoteco II Seminar Hall in General Santos City on February 26, 2019. The purpose of the workshop was to review the Solar Home System (SHS) or Photovoltaic (PV) Mainstreaming Window I implementation experience in Mindanao and identify lessons learned to simplify and improve SHS Window II implementation. PV Mainstreaming is a Department of Energy (DoE) initiative, supported by the World Bank’s Access to Sustainable Energy in the Philippines (ASEP) Programme.

Electric Cooperatives (ECs) presented their Window I experiences on the preparation, procurement, marketing, installation & verification phases. The group were also able to brainstorm together and complement actions to improve its mechanics for Window II.  It was also an opportunity for Mahintana to harmonize the SHS technical design/specifications, the target areas and sustainability mechanisms of PVM with the SOLARES project.

World Bank Consultant Mr. Ian Driscall presented the Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification (RE4RE) system, a GIS platform developed to strengthen the impact of electrification projects fostering access to electrical services. The platform makes information available to aid in decision making on energy-related projects and monitoring the progress of ongoing projects.

The attendees were key staff and officers from different Electric Coops (ECs) namely: SUKELCO, FIBECO, COTELCO, Socoteco II, DASURECO and BUSECO. Also present were representatives from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Yamog organization, National Electrification Administration (NEA) and Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF).

SOLARES Project Facilitates Meeting with DOE, World Bank and EU Delegation for Design Harmonization

Strengthening Off-grid Lighting with Appropriate Renewable Energy Solutions (SOLARES) Project, a 3-year EU-funded project in partnership with Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), facilitated the Coordination and Harmonization Meeting held at Hotel Esse, Davao City on February 21, 2019. Among the attendees are Ms. Carol Maningo from EU Delegation, Mr. Ian Driscall from World Bank, Mr. Douglas Liner from the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP) and Ms. Shunie Pearl Palacios from PEF. Also present were representatives and management staff from the Department of Energy (DoE), MINDA, SUKELCO and SURECO. The meeting was an avenue for stakeholders to share solar-related project experiences and for Mahintana to harmonize initiatives to implement SOLARES Project successfully.

SOLARES Project Manager Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon presented the target areas and beneficiaries, the project framework, the solar home system (SHS) design options, and the project implementation plan. Discussions included concerns such as the target areas’ accessibility, the SHS specification options, the livelihood programs, electrification, the procurement processes, the installation of the solar load vending stations, and the sustainability of the project. With the inputs given by the group, Mahintana noted replicable existing systems and will consult EU for major amendments in the project concept. EU Programme Officer Ms. Carol Maningo stated that the project may be overwhelming, yet, it can be beneficial to Mahintana, and the partners, esp. the beneficiaries. DoE Director Mr. Mario Marasigan encouraged the body to work together for the total electrification of the off-grid in Region 12 and ARMM through the provision of SHS.

Mahintana Presents SOLARES Project during the Official Launch of Grants Awarded under EU-ASEP CfP

January 30, 2019, Davao City

As one of the seven grant awardees of the European Union Access to Sustainable Energy in the Philippines (EU-ASEP) Call for Proposals (CfP), Mahintana Foundation, Inc., presented the SOLARES Project during the official launching of the grants awarded under EU-ASEP CfP on January 30, 2019 at Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City. Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot, President & CEO, Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, Program Manager, and Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, Project Manager, represented Mahintana during the event. Mr. Jobe C Tubigon presented the SOLARES project on behalf of Mahintana.

Prior to the presentation of grant awards, Asec. Redentor E. Delola of the Department of Energy (DOE), provided the welcome remarks during the opening session. He thanked EU for its support to renewable energy through ASEP which has become a vital partner of DOE to attain its goal of 100% electrification by 2022.

Mr. Enrico Strampelli, Head of the Development Cooperation of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, shared a message of support on behalf of the EU delegation. He said there were at least 73 applications in the competitive EU-ASEP Call for Proposals which had proposed sustainable renewable energy solutions in the remote areas of the Philippines, particularly Mindanao. Of the 73 applications, only 7 were selected based on their feasibility and sustainability mechanisms.

Mr. Willy Hick, Programme Officer, Development Cooperation Section, EU Delegation to the Philippines, provided the overview of EU-ASEP Program. He shared that when you have a partner like DOE that speaks with so much enthusiasm and commitment in the ASEP program - that’s the EU wants in all their development programs.

After the overview, each of the 6 Projects awarded under the EU-ASEP CfP were presented (Note: Ateneo de Manila through its CELLSs Project was not able to present due to flight schedule concerns). Following was the order of presentation:

After the presentations of the awarded projects, Asec. Romeo Montenegro, Deputy Executive Director, MINDA, shared the updates on the Mindanao Power Development Program including the Mindanao Power Outlook.

In the morning session, Mahintana also participated in the consultation and validation workshop on the program framework for Sustaining Peace and Accelerating Socio-economic Development in Mindanao.

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