MANILA, Philippines — The European Union signed Thursday seven new contracts with civil society groups and other organizations for the implementation of projects helping provide clean energy to 40,000 households in the Philippines. In a press statement, the EU said the projects will “contribute to electrify remote places and provide income-generating activities to the beneficiary communities.”The EU’s contribution to these projects amounts to €21 million, which was drawn from the bloc’s Access to Sustainable Energy Programme, or ASEP, that aims to support the electrification of 100,000 households in the Philippines. EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen said ASEP, which will last until 2021, will increase the share of renewables in the country’s energy mix and, in turn, expand access to clean electricity by remote populations. “These projects will contribute to the implementation of the Department of Energy's objective to reach 100 percent of electrification in 2020 in the country,” the EU said. Clean Energy Living Laboratories (CELLs): The development of centres of excellence on energy access, renewable energy, and energy efficiency €3.8 million grant to Ateneo de Manila University - A Centre of Excellence, based in a University with regional antennas in Davao and Cebu, will be the national reference for renewable energy and correspondent of Energy4ALL initiative.

Source: Philippine Star December 13, 2018 13:41 UTC