We have experienced the hottest summer earlier this year. It was so hot that plants dried up, car hoods served as makeshift sizzling plates and Metro Manila was one gigantic sauna. There was no sufficient rainfall for months. Our major water dam levels fell at an all-time low. As a result, we experienced a double whammy: revolving brown-outs and water shortages. Worse, some of us had to endure days of blackout when a particular electrical plant malfunctioned.
That’s the situation in Manila. How about in Mindanao?
Mindanao has been reliant on hydroelectric power for years. In fact, more than 50% of its electricity requirements come from Agus-Pulangi hydropower complex. However, the recent El Nino phenomenon had put questions on the reliability of such plants in adequately supplying electricity to the southerners. To address this concern, the Department of Energy has reportedly started mobilizing short-term solutions for Mindanao. This includes demand-side management or the possible rehabilitation of power plants currently placed under “preservation mode”. But are these the only alternatives to explore?
Upon reading an article from CNN.com about an NGO paving the way in providing solar energy to African communities, I asked myself, “What if we do this for Mindanao, particularly remote or conflict-ridden communities?” After all, should the country experience another El Nino, sunlight would be an abundant source of energy.
Check http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation/08/10/solar.energy.africa/index.html yourself. :)
That’s the situation in Manila. How about in Mindanao?
Mindanao has been reliant on hydroelectric power for years. In fact, more than 50% of its electricity requirements come from Agus-Pulangi hydropower complex. However, the recent El Nino phenomenon had put questions on the reliability of such plants in adequately supplying electricity to the southerners. To address this concern, the Department of Energy has reportedly started mobilizing short-term solutions for Mindanao. This includes demand-side management or the possible rehabilitation of power plants currently placed under “preservation mode”. But are these the only alternatives to explore?
Upon reading an article from CNN.com about an NGO paving the way in providing solar energy to African communities, I asked myself, “What if we do this for Mindanao, particularly remote or conflict-ridden communities?” After all, should the country experience another El Nino, sunlight would be an abundant source of energy.
Check http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation/08/10/solar.energy.africa/index.html yourself. :)
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