13 March 2008

Project Is Bringing Sustainable Energy to Philippines

Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy targets rural areas

 

AMORE has provided electricity to thousand of households in remote communities of Mindanao. (USAID)

AMORE has provided electricity to thousand of households in remote communities of Mindanao. (USAID)

Washington -- Energy is fundamental to economic growth and poverty alleviation in the Philippines, particularly in remote rural communities on the southern island of Mindanao. There, approximately 60 percent of the population lives in poverty. People remain poor because they do not have access to basic building blocks for development like electricity, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy (AMORE), a multiyear USAID project, has provided a sustainable approach to bringing electricity to remote rural areas of the southern Philippines island using renewable energy systems.

The project already has brought electricity to thousands of remote households in communities, or barangays, of former rebel soldiers by using solar photovoltaic cell and microhydro power systems. It has installed renewable-energy-powered street lights, illuminated community centers and organized barangay renewable energy and community development associations that plan and manage community electrification systems. The project also developed a policy for the appropriate disposal of used batteries, using a recycling center.

AMORE promotes community participation, peace and development by improving the quality of life in these communities.

It shares with others information about what it has learned about providing rural electrification through renewable sources.

Abdulhil Alih, chair of the community association in Pababag, said the lights and training AMORE provided to his community gave residents a new sense of security.

"The people here are not as easily convinced anymore to join the Abu Sayyaf or other renegade groups because they can really see now how the lives of people here are progressing," Alih said.

"AMORE gives us a chance not only to have electricity, [but also to] develop our barangay," said Jabidi, a community resident.

AMORE is joined in partnership with the Philippines government and the government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Business partners are Mirant Philippines, the Philippines' largest energy producer, which procured renewable energy equipment; Philippines National Oil Company; and Shell Solar. Other partners are the nonprofit groups Knowledge Channel and Winrock International.

USAID has provided technical expertise and training for the installation, operation and maintenance of the systems.