MANILA – The European Union (EU) has provided additional funding for the Philippines under the Access to Sustainable Energy Program (ASEP), amounting to 6 million euros or about PHP336 million.
The European Union Delegation to the Philippines told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the fresh funding was launched last April to support the Department of Energy’s (DOE) efforts to improve access to sustainable energy, particularly for remote areas.
“This additional funding will be implemented until December 2022,” it said.
The EU Delegation said 4.5 million euros (PHP252 million) will go to the DOE’s electrification program in Mindanao and the rest would support the environment and social impact assessment for the rehabilitation of the Agos-Pulangi Hydropower Complex in Mindanao and other studies.
“The EU and the Department of Energy will continue the partnership and the good collaboration under ASEP, and amid the pandemic, provide the necessary advice and support to the implementing partners in preparing contingency plans and adapting the means and methods of delivery to the new normal,” it added.
To date, the EU contributed a total of 66 million euros (PHP3.7 billion) under the ASEP.
The ASEP was launched in 2015 to help the Philippines secure sustainable energy supplies, increase energy efficiency, and expand access to electrification in underserved households.
Of the total funding, 45 million euros (PHP2.4 billion) went to the investment support component and pro-poor electrification and renewable energy grants component of the program, she said, citing that 40,000 remote households in Mindanao were provided with basic lighting service and some 10,000 solar home systems were installed in individual households in different communities.
“As far as technical assistance components, the outputs of several policies and technical studies on rural electrification have helped the government develop new approaches in its program, thereby benefiting hundreds of targeted communities all over the country,” the European Union Delegation to the Philippines said.
The ASEP also promotes productive uses of renewable energy (PURE), with three pilot projects now benefiting small communities.
The PURE installations include the abaca spindler in New Mabuhay; Malita, a corn sheller and biomass dryer in Mahayag, Don Marcelino; and a rice mill for small farmers in Barangay Sioasio, Sual, Pangasinan.
“The demonstration effect has been high. Many electric cooperatives now plan to use the ASEP PURE model in their own franchises,” it said.
It added said the PURE initiative has benefitted sectors of agriculture and tourism, supported job creation, improved livelihoods, and increased the resilience of many Filipino communities. (PNA)
