DOE issues electrification roadmaps for distribution utilities

The aim is to prioritise unserved and underserved areas nationwide with consistent supply.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued guidelines for Local Total Electrification Roadmaps (LTERs), in compliance to Republic Act (RA) No. 11646, also known as the Microgrid Systems Act (MGSA).

The goal is to expedite total electrification in unserved and underserved areas nationwide, providing residents with a reliable electrical supply.

Under MGSA, the DOE enforces the preparation and the issuing of the National Total Electrification Roadmap (NTER) annually, while the National Electrification Administration (NEA) supports electric cooperatives in creating their respective LTERs.

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Meanwhile, distribution utilities (DUs) will be required to prepare LTERs with comprehensive electrification plans and inventories for underserved areas across the Philippines.

Accordingly, the DOE prepares the NTER and publishes it online, per the DOE Circular DC2022-05-0017 (issued on 25 June 2022), to put the Microgrid Systems Act into effect.

The DOE has further conducted consultations with DUs across various regions to develop geographic-specific LTER templates, leading to the issuance of guidelines and a manual for standard templates. These measures aim to facilitate efficient planning and implementation of electrification projects in franchise areas.