Shell PNOC Launch Solar Home Project in Phillipines
Asia Pulse, - The Philippine National Oil Company has recently launched its Solar Home Systems Distribution Project in Negros Oriental.
Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with officials from the PNOC, Shell Solar Philippines Corporation, the Southern Sun Solar Power, the Philippine Veterans Bank and the Sta. Catalina Rural Bank.
The solar project, implemented by PNOC in partnership with the Netherlands government and in cooperation with the Department of Energy, aims to address rural electrification problems in the country.
It also hopes to contribute to the pro-poor program of the government, promote a sustainable form of new and renewable energy, and promote environmental improvement and sustainable development.
Ramin Nadimi, president of the Shell Solar Philippines Corporation, said the project is a five-year program that involves the installation of 15,100 Solar Home Systems (SHS) in rural areas that are still not energized.
These include Regions 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7 and CAR, although Nadimi said they are hoping that the project will also be expanded to cover all areas in the country.
Nadimi lauded Negros Oriental for being the first provincial government to have requested for the implementation of the project and has allocated a subsidy fund for rural folks wishing to own a solar power system.
A unit would cost P37,000 (US$667) but because of subsidies from the Dutch government and the provincial government, Oriental Negrenses need not spend more than P15,000 for each.
Arnaiz called on local government units to also allocate their own funds to subsidize the solar home systems so as to reduce the cost for every individual user.
Furthermore, loans that are payable in three years are also available from the partner rural banks in the province.
It was learned that an average rural household with no electricity usually spent between P500 to P600 monthly on kerosene and/or batteries.
The loan, payable within five years, would only cover a monthly amortization of between P420 to P440.
The Solar Home Systems provides up to 167 to 200Wh electricity per day, which would mean some 10 hours usage for a maximum of four 10-W light bulbs, five hours for radio cassette, and three to four hours for a small TV set.
The target pilot area for the solar project is Barangay Nangka in Bayawan City, some 109 kilometers south of here.
Bayawan City Mayor German Sarana said if the project is successful, he will "make arrangements" to expand it to other areas as well.
20 January 2005, - Asia Pulse
