Twenty million or over twenty percent of Filipinos are still without electricity, many of whom live in remote rural communities far from any chance of being connected to the grid. The cost of electricity in Ifugao is the highest in the nation ranging between 9 and 14 Pesos per kWh (Manila averages around 6 pesos per kWh.) This is primarily because of the challenging terrain and the generally low loads of electricity. Local utilities also cannot afford on their own to build distribution lines to the small rural villages because it is not economically viable, since these households can only afford “lifeline rates” or less then 1kWh per month. This leaves rural electrification projects in the hands of the local government, since they are the only entity that can afford it. However, the government takes priority in road construction and community center development rather than electrification projects for villages under a few hundred homes.
OPPORTUNITY
Studies by the Philippines Department of Energy show that there are 51 sites in the province of Ifugao alone that have the potential to generate 25kW or more. Many of these sites are near rural communities similar to Maggok, with no or low quality electricity. This abundance of water within the individual rural villages shows promise for the communities to generate their own electricity rather than wait for the government to secure funding to connect them to the existing grid. Generating their own power allows them to pay lower prices for the electricity, given that they invest themselves in the upkeep of the non-profit community owned system. The source of electricity and electrical lines are all within the village, making repairs to the system easier and able to be completed in a timely manner.
Hydro power is one of the best options for producing electricity in areas such as Ifugao. It is clean leaving a negligible carbon footprint and a minimal impact on the surrounding area. Hydro power is based on proven and reliable technology, providing 19% of the global production of electricity. It is the least expensive form of renewable electricity and is not subject to change with rising fuel prices since it only requires a constant source of water. However, hydro power can be affected by droughts and water shortages, and may disrupt irrigation if used improperly.
A large portion of the un-electrified villages are located in the rural mountainous communities of the Philippines. Mountainous terrain is the best geographical profile for hydro electric power. It creates a natural drop in height which is needed to generate substantial power for micro-hydro systems, producing less than 100kW of electric power. Micro-hydro systems also do not disrupt irrigation since only a small portion of the water is channeled to the turbine and is returned to the original stream. It is also less sensitive to droughts and water shortages since not all of the flow is diverted.
Working on the project in Maggok as well as other engineering and business development projects in Ifugao has led to many connections within the country and a strong partnership between Villanova and SITMo. We also have established strong connections with government officials, experts in hydro technology, local utility companies, and influential people within the province of Ifugao. These contacts can be leveraged along with our gained experience to aid other villages in implementing new micro-hydroelectric power stations. Electrifying villages that may not otherwise be given power will create a great impact by providing opportunity, growth, and stability for the members of the community.
