BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The US Embassy in Manila is holding a two-day seminar here to enhance the knowledge of journalists on the Philippines’ effort to transition to a carbonless energy society. The July 8 to 9 seminar dubbed “Powering Progress: The Path Toward the Philippines’ Clean Energy Transition” will tackle relevant issues on clean and renewable energy transition.
This issue is also significant to Ilonggos as Western Visayas’ energy sector is pushing to stabilize energy using a multifaceted approach by incorporating infrastructure upgrades, renewable energy projects, and policy support.
Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara will discuss the country’s energy landscape, which is characterized by a diverse mix of energy sources, ongoing infrastructure development, and several challenges related to energy security, sustainability, and accessibility.
The DOE official will present the government’s initiative and ambitious targets such as the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) 2020-2040.
The program aims to adhere to the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in the total power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040 with a 50 percent share equivalent to 73.9 GW of additional renewable energy capacities by 2040.
The energy department has laid out a clear roadmap to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix, aiming to achieve 35 percent by 2030.
Under Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), the Philippines implemented an RPS policy, which requires electricity suppliers to source a certain percentage of their energy from renewable sources.
This policy encourages power producers to invest in and use renewable energy.
Colette D. Honorable, chief external affairs officer of US-based energy firm Exelon, will discuss nuclear technology and the Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, or known as 123 Agreement signed between the Philippines and the United States last Nov. 16, 2023.
Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla signed the Agreement on behalf of the Philippines as Chair of the Philippine Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEPIAC) while Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken signed on behalf of the US.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The 123 Agreement lays the legal framework for potential nuclear power projects with US providers. It aims to facilitate Philippine-US cooperation in the safe and secure use of nuclear energy taking into full account the standards and safeguards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as their respective national laws, international agreements, and regulations.
Upon entry into force, the 123 Agreement will allow the transfer of information, nuclear material, equipment, and components directly between the Philippines and the US or through persons authorized by their respective authorities to engage in transfer activities, which will support potential nuclear power projects with US providers. The Agreement will likewise pave the way for streamlining the licensing requirements for the private sector concerning investments in nuclear-related intangible transfers of technology (ITT).
Isabella Suarez, an analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), will also tackle the country’s transition to renewable energy.
The country’s renewable energy (RE) sector is comprised of RE resources coming from geothermal resources (14.6%/1,932 MW), solar/wind energy (1.4%; solar at 1,382 MW; wind at 443 MW), hydropower (4.1%/1,161 MW installed capacity), and biomass (12.6%) 759 MW), according to the US International Trade Administration.
Building port infrastructure and policies to support offshore wind development are also priority policies of the DOE.
The Philippine Government has opened RE projects to 100% foreign ownership to allow faster entry of RE investments.
In terms of untapped renewable energy potential, the Philippines has an estimated 246,000 megawatts (MW) of untapped renewable energy. The country’s current mix of renewable energy consists of 4.3 gigawatts (GW) of hydropower, 896 MW from solar energy, and wind 427 MW./PN
