‘Phl needs over P100 B for smart grids’

The Philippines needs $1.79 billion (around P104 billion) in smart grid investments to avoid mounting economic losses caused by power outages, according to energy think tank Ember.

- By BRIX LELIS

In a report released yesterday, Ember said fast-growing economies like the Philippines, where blackouts impose higher costs, must leverage digital technologies to enhance the reliability of their power systems.

Unlike traditional grids that are not built to handle constant changes in power supply, smart grids connect generation, transmission, distribution and consumption through advanced digital tools.

With the right investment, Ember said, modern grids could help stabilize supply and enable the seamless integration of renewable energy (RE) sources.