ILOILO – The municipalities of Carles, Concepcion and Ajuy in northern Iloilo have renewable energy resources that are not yet tapped, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).
“We are seeing a huge potential for renewable energy development and our objective is to come up with more sustainable energy services for our fellowmen,” said Mylene Capongol, director of DOE’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau.
The three towns may potentially develop micro-hydro systems, she pointed out.
“We have partnered with the academe for micro-hydro projects there,” according to Capongol.
On Feb. 18 the provincial government and DOE entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a project called DREAMS or Development of Renewable Energy Applications Mainstreaming and Market Sustainability (DREAMS). Carles, Concepcion and Ajuy are pilot areas.
Through DREAMS, the DOE, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF), aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of the power industry by promoting and facilitating the commercialization of renewable energy markets.
According to Iloilo provincial administrator Suzette Mamon, the local government units of Carles, Concepcion and Ajuy are currently in the planning stage.
“They are conducting local needs assessment,” said Mamon.
Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the DOE is extending assistance to the three towns.
The local government units have to prepare the spatial plan and the type of renewable energy resource.
“The spatial plan is the map where the resources are located. The resources can be biomass, geothermal, solar, hydro, or ocean (and) wind resources that we can use for renewable energy and for productive uses of the farmers, fisherfolk, health workers, (and) teachers,” said Fuentebella. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
