Electric cooperatives (ECs) in the country have posted a new record for average system loss this year, according to the National Electrification Administration (NEA).
Data from the NEA Engineering Department showed average system loss went down from 11.12 percent in 2015 to 10.99 percent last year.
“Electric cooperatives must continue to implement measures that would keep their system loss average at the minimum to ease the burden on their consumers who are forced to shoulder it,” NEA Chief Edgardo Masongsong said.
System loss reduction has been one of the major policy thrusts of the agency. Significant reductions allow ECs to operate efficiently, and leads to lower electricity rates.
Forty-two of the 121 ECs monitored by NEA recorded a single-digit system loss average last year, while 53 did not stray from the 13 percent cap imposed by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
The Misamis Oriental Rural Electric Cooperative Inc. (Moresco-1) recorded a 2.14 percent system loss, followed by Siasi Electric Cooperative Inc. (Siaselco) with 4.77 percent.
Siaselco reduced its system loss by over half from 10.22 percent in 2015 to 4.77 percent. Maguindanao Electric Cooperative Inc. lowered its system loss from 27.34 percent to 11.87 percent.
Dinagat Island Electric Cooperative Inc. (Dielco) came in third with 5.31 percent, IloIlo III Electric Cooperative Inc. (Ileco III) with 5.95 percent, and Bohol I Electric Cooperative Inc. (Boheco I) with 6.07 percent.
Other ECs that brought down their system loss averages from double digits to under 10 percent include the Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (Aneco), Aklan Electric Cooperative Inc. (Akelco), Batangas II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Batelec-2); the Quezon II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Quezelco-2), Romblon Electric Cooperative Inc. (Romelco), Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative Inc. (Nuvelco), Nueva Ecija II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Neeco-2) Area 1, Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (Surneco), and South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Socoteco-2).
Electric cooperatives in Visayas have the lowest system loss average at 8.48 percent, while Northen Mindanao has 8.75 percent, Central Luzon with 8.97 percent, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with 9.58 percent, and Caraga with 9.64 percent.
