Philippines to develop smart grid plan for power sector

Will set-up committee to oversee this.

The Department of Energy said the inter-agency committee will develop a smart grid policy framework and roadmap for the power industry. The smart grid will computerize the electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure. It will also computerize the entire power grid from the suppliers' end to the consumers' end to improve the production and distribution of electricity.

A DoE circular said the policy formulation committee will propose the national strategy for the smart grid until 2030 with major emphasis on the possible impact on the price of electricity.

The committee will prepare the transition policies and guidelines for the effective implementation of the smart grid by power generation companies, transmission companies, distribution utilities and other network service providers.

It will consist of members of the DoE and attached agencies such as the National Power Corporation, the National Transmission Corporation and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

Manila Electric Company, the Philippines’ largest power distributor, is a strong advocate of the smart grid. It claims smart grids can result in savings ranging from 5% to 15%,