Business

China’s State Grid Brings Solar Power to Zambales

Manila Bulletin

The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), the technical partner of power grid operator National Grip Corp. of the Philippines, is spearheading efforts to provide solar power in Zambales that would benefit over 1,000 residents in the province.

The move comes on the heels of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the Philippines last year where he assured that China would continue to extend its support to the Philippines in various aspects of business.

Thus, as part of improving relations between the two countries, SGCC signed recently a memorandum of agreement with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Zambales II Electric Cooperative (ZAMECO II) for a solar project.

Under the MOA, SGCC’s Brighten Up project oversee the installation of a solar panel system which will be turned over to ZAMECO II. The system will generate 76 kilowatts, which is capable of delivering power to over 1,000 residents, including two schools with 108 students.

Through the partnership, Huawei Philippines will also donate communications equipment, providing the communities with telecommunications network coverage. SGCC will then provide computers and school supplies for the two educational institutions covered by the MOA.

During the signing ceremony for the project, Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy of the Philippines Jin Yuan said that through the successful visit of President Xi to the Philippines in November 2018, relationships between the two nations have been pushed to a higher level.

Thus, Jin said SGCC’s project is a crucial step in solidifying the good relations between the two countries, and is only the beginning of more ways in which China and the Philippines can build support and enhance cooperation.

SGCC is also currently the technical partner of NGCP, where it provides assistance to the country’s transmission grid through skills development of NGCP’s engineers and providing NGCP with the latest technologies in modern transmission grid operations.

SGCC said that together with NGCP, the company would be able to reach more communities and create more opportunities to its partners not only from ZAMECO II, but to the entire country.

Around 650 guests from SGCC, NEA, ZAMECO II, the local government of San Marcelino, and Barangays Baliwet and Old Baliwet graced the MOA signing event and ceremonial groundbreaking held at the United Nations Aeta Women’s School.

Guests include Counselor Jin; Shan She Wu, chief director for the SGCC Philippine Office and NGCP director; Artis Nikki Tortola, deputy administrator for the National Electrification Administration; Ambassador Francis Chua, chairman for Philippines-China Trade Investment Council and NGCP director; engineer Alvin Farrales, general manager of ZAMECO II and Mayor Elvis Soria of the Municipality of San Marcelino.

Delegates from ZAMECO II and the local government of San Marcelino said the community including the teachers, would take this opportunity to fully utilize the resources given to them in order to modernize teaching methods and ultimately raise the standard of Philippine education.

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