BIMP-EAGA pushes cooperation in energy

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – The four component countries in the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia and the Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) are pushing for a cooperation in the energy sector in an effort to further develop the areas in the geo-economic grouping.

The Power and Energy Cluster of the BIMP-EAGA pushes for its thrusts of ensuring energy security, promoting a low carbon future, achieving total electrification, improving energy efficiency and conservation in the area.

According to the Department of Energy, the EAGA Power and Energy Cluster recently convened to draw up a nine-year (2017-2025) Power and Energy Infrastructure Cluster Roadmap for the different sub-sectors such as Power Interconnection, Renewable Energy, Rural Electrification and Sub-Regional Energy Efficiency and Conservation rolling pipeline project as input to the final BIMP-EAGA Vision 2017-2025.

Among the proposal in the power infrastructure connectivity of the Philippines to the sub-region, the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) presented a proposed Sabah to Palawan Interconnection project.

The BEBC, a private sector group, initiated the partnership with the Provincial Government of Palawan aiming to deliver electric power from Sabah to Palawan.

The BEBC said a Memorandum of Understanding may take place by next month.

Officials said when the proposed power connectivity between Palawan and Sabah is realized, “it will provide the needed capacity addition to the country.”

DOE officials also underscored the need to strengthen the resiliency of energy infrastructure in the sub-region which also supports the Philippine Energy Sector 8-point Agenda.

BEBC Brunei proposed a renewable energy resource assessment for each country intending to identify feedstock as fuel for a proposed biomass generating facility project.

The Philippines will likewise pursue coordination meetings between the private sector, National Government Agencies and the provincial Government of Palawan to be able to review existing policies and regulation on cross-border trading and to facilitate the timely execution of the proposed interconnection.”

The BIMP-EAGA Power and Energy Infrastructure Cluster likewise looks forward to the efficient implementation of the different plans and activities until 2025 in partnership with the private sector and other key stakeholders.