MINDA UNVEILS 2 EU-FUNDED ENERGY PROJECTS AT MINDANAO POWER FORUM

In line with its push for enhancing agriculture value chain and the use of renewable energy, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) unveiled today two energy projects aimed at increasing agricultural productivity in off-grid areas in Mindanao with sustainable and resilient energy sources.

Among the projects showcased at the Mindanao Power Forum 2021 include the Renewable Energy for Tawi-Tawi Seaweeds (RETS) Project, which focuses on solar and diesel hybridization in the seaweed farming municipalities of Sitangkai, Sibutu, Panglima Sugala, and Tandubas.

The project aims to provide electricity access for some 5,000 households and increase seaweeds production in the island province of Tawi-Tawi. The PhP262 million project is being implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with MinDA, Local Government of Tawi-Tawi, Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative (TAWELCO), and BARMM Regional Government.

Another EU-funded program launched during the forum is the PhP 245 million Integration of Productive Uses of Renewable

Energy for Sustainable and Inclusive Energization in Mindanao (I-PURE Mindanao), which is designed to help bring inclusive and sustainable economic development in 10 pilot areas, particularly offgrid but agriculturally productive communities through the use of RE solutions for livelihood activities and household energization.

Both projects are funded under the European Union – Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (EU-ASEP), with MinDA, Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) collaborating with the EU to promote energy transition initiatives and inclusive development.

“These projects concretize our efforts to help accelerate agricultural growth while promoting renewable energy deployment in Mindanao,” said MinDA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol during the Mindanao Power Forum which was conducted via online platform.

Attended by nearly over 400 participants, Mindanao Power Forum served as venue to discuss continuing challenges in the power sector, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also highlighted the importance energy transition in building back a better Mindanao that is sustainable and more resilient.

“While our power situation in Mindanao has seen significant improvement in recent years, our way forward needs to look at achieving a regime of long term sustainable and reliable power across the island including the off-grid communities,” Piñol added.

The Mindanao Power Forum 2021 was organized by MinDA through the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee and in partnership with, DOE, Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO), UNIDO Philippines, EUASEP, BARMM Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy, USAID’s Energy Secure Philippines, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).