Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
April 15, 2024
“Today, we claim another important milestone to ensure the continued delivery of services and sustained government operations in times of disasters, with the launching of the Energy Sector Emergency Operations Center and the Mobile Energy System,” said Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin as he conveyed the President’s message during the inauguration of the Energy Sector Emergency Operations Center (ESEOC) and Mobile Energy System (MES) at the Energy Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City on April 15, 2024.
Executive Secretary Bersamin emphasized the Administration’s strong commitment to leveraging technological advancements to provide proactive solutions to the country’s energy challenges.
“We know from bitter experience that power delayed is not only rehabilitation deferred but development denied… We cannot count on people’s resilience alone. People’s patience is not a renewable resource. We must put in place contingencies,” he said.
The Executive Secretary also announced that the government will conduct pilot tests of the MES in the typhoon-prone municipalities of Santa Ana and Lal-lo in Cagayan Province. “MES units will also be distributed to various government agencies, showing our commitment to improve government services in times of crises,” he noted.
During the event, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) turned over eight (8) solar-powered MES units to the DOE, which will be distributed across various government agencies and local government units (LGUs). Currently, two (2) of these MES units are strategically stationed at the DOE, with one serving as backup power for the ESEOC, while the remaining units are scheduled for deployment between June and August of this year.
Each MES unit is equipped with 50 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery storage and, when fully charged, can supply power to a range of equipment — enabling two (2) television sets, two (2) air-conditioning units, 10 light bulbs, two (2) desktop computers, two (2) laptops, five (5) phone chargers, five (5) electric fans, and one (1) modem to operate for approximately 12 hours. This capability significantly surpasses that of traditional diesel generators.
Moreover, the MES units offer enhanced portability and can be rapidly deployed in response to emergencies. They have the added benefit of incurring minimal operational and maintenance expenses. The cost for each MES unit ranges from PhP2.99 million to PhP5.25 million, reflecting an investment in sustainable and resilient energy solutions for critical infrastructure needs.
“Let us bring active collaboration and innovative spirit as we claim the Bagong Pilipinas that we deserve — a nation powered by clean energy and a thriving community benefitting from stable, reliable, and accessible energy systems,” Executive Secretary Bersamin concluded in his keynote speech.
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