THE vulnerability of electric cooperatives (ECs) in providing a reliable and sustained power supply was tested by the four consecutive typhoons that recently wreaked havoc on several regions and provinces in the country.
According to the National Electrification Authority (NEA), at least 27 ECs operating in 21 provinces from seven regions were affected by the four typhoons. The typhoons forced them to temporarily shut down their operations, which resulted in electricity consumers in those areas being without electricity for several days.
Power restoration efforts are ongoing in ECs under partial power interruption status.
NEA said the cost of damage to ECs after typhoons Marce, Nika, Ofel and Pepito hammered these areas has reached over P40 million.
Unlike large distribution utilities (DUs), most ECs in the country have inferior infrastructure and lack the technical expertise to meet consumers’ demands.
The ECs receive government financial support and technical assistance from NEA to implement and operate approved electrification programs.
However, despite investment efforts to improve their operations and provide better customer service, ECs are not ready for calamities like the one that occurred recently.
ECS is taking longer to restore the power supply in areas where the typhoons made landfall. NEA said that even a week after the sky cleared, 314 of our 376 municipalities (83.51%) covered by the affected electric cooperatives were either fully or partially energized.
Compared to Metro Manila and other neighboring provinces under Meralco franchise areas, power was restored immediately due to the DUs’ excellent technical expertise, experience, and reliable crew, which quickly addressed the situation.
When the typhoon developed into a super typhoon, the ECS was forced to shut down its operations to prevent further damage to its infrastructure.
To avoid the same occurrence, the ECs need to build robust infrastructure that will ensure the provision and distribution of energy enough to power up residents and business establishments, with or without typhoons.
DUs like Meralco are offering ECs assistance by extending their excellent technical expertise in power distribution, a capability that no other DUs or ECs in the country can provide.
Meralco is now in talks with several ECs in the south, particularly Batangas, where there is a high clamor for the DU to enter and partner with ECs to improve power distribution and customer service in the province.
Meralco has the financial capability to infuse more capital to improve consumer services through adequate investment in infrastructure, systems, and personnel training and development.
Meralco is the largest private-sector electric distribution utility company in the Philippines, covering 39 cities and 72 municipalities. Meralco accounts for 55% of the country’s electricity output.