Solar kits bring light in off-grid islands of Surigao Norte
DAVAO CITY – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Northeastern Mindanao recently collaborated with Light of Hope Philippines for the installation of solar kits in off-grid islands in the province of Surigao del Norte.
The solar kit, known as CloudGrid, is a small solar generator system that helps a household get enough power for more than 24 hours of light, along with mobile phone charging. The unit contains a solar powered generator set that enables the underprivileged off-the-grid families to be less reliant on kerosene wick lamps.
With the grant from the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei
Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) – Republic of
Korea Cooperation Fund for the project dubbed “Off-grid Solar Home Systems
Deployment in Disaster Vulnerable Low-income Communities in Surigao Islands,
Mindanao,” the Light of Hope Philippines, a non-government organization,
deployed and distributed more than 400 units across island communities in
Surigao del Norte.
Founder and project engineer Jovie Gil Montajes of Light of Hope Philippines said, “These off-grid islands in the province took longer to recover from disaster, especially typhoons. In fact, some island barangays did not have access to electricity for several months during Super Typhoon Odette. The communities had to settle for a pay-per-charge set-up just to have light at night.”
“We want to help preserve the environment by integrating renewable and sustainable energy sources in these communities that greatly rely on nature for their livelihood,” added Montajes as he hoped that their community beneficiaries get fully connected to the national electricity grid.
“When that happens, they can just return the Cloudgrid units if they don't need them anymore, and we will continue to reach more off-grid communities that will need them,” he emphasized.
One of the project beneficiaries is Barangay Danawan in Surigao City, a predominantly fishing community located about an hour by boat from the port of Surigao City. Over 100 households on the island are now utilizing the CloudGrid units, enabling them to significantly reduce their charging costs.
Renemy, one of the Cloudgrid owners, shared that before owning the unit, they used to spend P30 per day to charge two mobile phones and one mini rechargeable fan.
“We decided to avail of the unit when it was offered to us and we can now already use our ceiling fan and lights overnight,” she said.
According to MinDA, “Mindanao continues to have the lowest electrification rate among the three major island groups in the Philippines, with an electrification level of 83%, compared to 92% in the Visayas and 94% in Luzon. Many off-grid islands receive electricity for just 12 to 16 hours a day, primarily from diesel-powered generators.”
With strong partnership with the Light of Hope Philippines, this endeavor aims to help build resilient and sustainable communities, mitigate climate change and uplift the lives of the underprivileged off-the-grid communities through the use of sustainable clean renewable energy technologies. (Light of Hope Philippines/MinDA- Northeastern Mindanao /PIA-Caraga)
