Cobrador Island Solar - Diesel Hybrid Project

ADB, through the Energy for All Initiative, supported the development of ROMELCO’s 30-kW solar diesel hybrid power that provides round-the-clock electricity to 244 households, a health center, a school, and local industries in Cobrador Island, a remote island in Romblon province. In addition to providing pre-development technical assistance, ADB endowed the project with a USD100,000 grant to demonstrate the technological viability of a solar-diesel mini-grid in the Philippines.
Prior to this solar-diesel hybrid project, Romblon Electric Cooperative (ROMELCO) can only serve 110 households for 8 hours a day using diesel generator sets. The high cost of diesel, the associated fuel transportation costs, and insufficient capacity of the gen sets prevented ROMELCO to serve all potential consumers in the island. While a few households own solar home systems, majority relied on kerosene for lighting. The local marble and tourism industries were impeded by the unreliable supply of electricity.
ROMELCO’s solar - diesel hybrid project is a sustainable solution to the island’s power supply deficit problem. The pilot facility is composed of a 30 kW solar photovoltaic system, 180 kWh lithium - ion batteries to store excess generation for night - time use, and a 15 kW diesel generator. The hybrid facility enabled ROMELCO to provide 24/7 electricity services to all households, serve local industries and community centers, and has reduced thier power generation costs. An estimated 64.8 tons of carbon emissions is projected to be avoided per year as a result of lower fossil fuel consumption. Moreover, the reliable electricity services will contribute in the growth of local industries, improve social services, and enhance the quality of people’s lives.