TAGUIG CITY, Metro Manila—PNOC and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on February 28, 2025 to deploy hybrid renewable energy (RE) solutions for 10 CICC towers in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA).
The MOA signing was led by PNOC President and CEO Oliver Butalid and CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Alexander Ramos, with PNOC Senior Vice President for Energy Investments Ma. Rowena Raymundo and CICC Director for Cybercrime Policy Atty. Alvin Navarro serving as witnesses.
CICC’s monopole towers play a crucial role in strengthening digital security, particularly in urban areas where network congestion can impact connectivity. These towers not only help boost signals but also provide an added layer of protection against cyber threats such as hacks and scams.
The partnership strengthens PNOC’s commitment to expanding sustainable energy access in off-grid areas while supporting government infrastructure. Furthermore, it will introduce a hybrid of solar, wind, and battery systems developed by WindStream Energy Technologies, an international firm with extensive experience deploying such solutions in India, South America, and Indonesia.
PCEO Butalid highlighted that this will be the first time the system is deployed in the Philippines, and its compact, portable, and scalable design makes it a practical solution for remote and high-altitude areas. “Unlike solar energy systems, this hybrid technology ensures continuous power generation, even at night, making it ideal for GIDA. These systems are small yet stackable, allowing scalability from as little as 10 kilowatts to several megawatts, making them highly adaptable for various energy demands,” he remarked.
The MOA outlines PNOC’s role in conducting technical and financial feasibility studies, and preparing project cost estimates to ensure the project’s viability. As the project engineer, PNOC will also oversee the compliance with safety and electrical standards. CICC, on the other hand, will fund the project and oversee its implementation, operation, and maintenance. To facilitate seamless coordination, the center will provide PNOC with access to project sites, pertinent technical documents, and designated support personnel.
CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Alexander Ramos stressed the importance of the partnership, stating that grid energy must be both sustainable and accessible to GIDA, where many parts remain underserved or entirely unserved. Highlighting PNOC’s crucial role in this initiative, he stated, “This partnership with PNOC is critical because it is only PNOC who has exerted efforts to expand the application of this technology in the country.”
Unlike the Department of Information and Communications Technology, which focuses on larger telecom and radio towers for broader coverage, CICC’s smaller towers are designed for more targeted digital security applications. Reliable and sustainable power for these facilities enhances cybersecurity efforts and strengthens public safety.
The PNOC-CICC collaboration highlights the role of sustainable energy in bridging the energy gap in off-grid areas while supporting digital infrastructure, national security, and economic growth.
