New electricity consumer connections down 15% due to COVID-19, says NEA

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) said Tuesday the new electricity consumer connections in the first half of 2020 declined 15% due to mobility restrictions amid the lockdown measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement, the NEA said electric cooperatives recorded 209,781 additional consumer connections from January to June this year based on the figures submitted to the agency’s Information Technology and Communication Services Department (ITCSD).

NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong said the figures in the first semester are 15% lower than the 281,246 consumer connections reported by power cooperatives in the first six months of 2019.

The 209,781 additional consumer connections during the period also make up for about 46% of the NEA’s 460,000 target for the year.

Masongsong attributed the decline in new service connections to the community quarantine restrictions imposed by both the national and local governments in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Data from the NEA-ITCSD showed that for the first quarter, electric cooperatives delivered 134,435 new consumer connections.

In the second quarter, however, new connections were only at 75,346.

On a per island basis, Luzon registered a 43% reduction in new electricity connections, while Visayas and Mindanao registered a decrease of 41% and 47%, respectively.

With restrictions on movement in place combined with non-availability of electrical construction materials due to the coronavirus pandemic, Masongsong said, “this year's target of 460,000 additional consumer connections may not be reached.”

The NEA chief, however, advised all electric cooperatives to still speed up the procurement process or maximize whatever available electrical materials in their respective warehouses, as well as mobilize their personnel, instead of waiting for the contractors. —LDF, GMA News