PASAY CITY -- Expect the spur of microgrid development in rural areas in the country now that it has been institutionalized and the possibility of realizing total electrification of every household by year end, Senator Win Gatchalian said.

“Ngayong ganap na itong batas, umaasa tayo na ang bawat sulok ng bansa ay magkakaroon na ng kuryente sa kani-kanilang mga bahay gamit ang makabagong teknolohiya sa pagtataguyod ng pribadong sektor,” said Gatchalian, lone author in the Senate and sponsor of Republic Act 11646 or the Microgrid Systems Act that was signed into law by the President in January 21.

Since microgrid system providers (MSPs) will now be allowed to operate in any area in the country, RA 11646 mandates the Department of Energy (DOE) to declare the unserved and underserved areas for electrification and service by prospective MSPs and pave the way for the entry of private sector accredited as MSPs as they won’t be required to obtain waivers from incumbent distribution utilities.

Unserved areas are those with no electricity access, while underserved areas are those whose electricity supply is less than 24 hours daily.

By employing other technologies to provide reliable electricity service, the Senate Energy Committee Chairperson said that the process of electrification will now be expedited.  

A microgrid can be powered by small-scale power generation facilities or decentralized power generation (DPG), batteries, and renewable sources such as solar and wind.

“Napapanahon ang pagsasabatas nito dahil ang mga kasuluksulukang lugar sa bansa na hindi naaabot ng mga linya ng kuryente ay maiilawan na gamit ang teknolohiyang microgrid,” the senator said.

“At kahit na may dumating na bagyo at padapain ang mga transmission lines, towers at poste ng mga kuryente tulad ng pinsalang dulot ng bagyong Odette, mas mapapabilis na ang rehabilitation works sa lugar na may microgrid dahil mas maliit ang sakop nito,” he ended. (OSWG)