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DOE invites firms to invest in 69 unserved, underserved areas

By Kris Crismundo

March 18, 2021, 3:27 pm

<p>DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi </p>

DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi 

MANILA – The Department of Energy (DOE) is inviting firms to invest and provide electricity services in 69 remote, unserved, and underserved areas in Negros Occidental and Palawan.
 
In a statement Thursday, companies, cooperatives, non-government organizations, generation companies or their subsidiaries, subsidiaries of distribution utilities (DU), and even local government units can provide electricity services in these areas as qualified third party (QTP).
 
A QTP is an alternative electric service provider authorized by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to energize QTP areas, or the remote, unserved, and underserved places in the country.
 
DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi said this initiative is part of the government’s goal to energize the entire nation.
 
“The DOE is determined to fast-track its total electrification program for the country. We will make electricity available to all unserved and underserved households in the country, and the QTP program will help us realize our goal,” he said. 
 
Cusi earlier said about 5 percent of the population still has no access to power.
 
Moreover, 63 of the QTP areas are under Palawan Electric Cooperative Inc. (Paleco) and six of the service areas are in the franchise areas of Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noreco).
 
“The concerned DU shall conduct the competitive bidding for QTP within 20 working days from the date of posting of the QTP service areas. Should the DUs fail to comply, the National Power Corporation (NPC) shall conduct the competitive bidding,” the DOE added. (PNA)
 
 

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