DOE integrates ASEP work plans with PEP

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) will integrate the work plans of European Union’s Access to Sustainable Energy Program (ASEP) in the country’s energy plan to provide sustainable energy to rural communities.

DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said Secretary Alfonso Cusi requires that ASEP work plans be synchronized with the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) and the sectoral roadmaps.

“We have to focus on energy efficiency and capacity building to further empower our people, especially those living in the rural communities,” he said.

The ASEP is a joint undertaking of the DOE and the EU to promote total electrification, energy security, efficiency and sustainability in the Philippines.

Currently, the DOE is working with EU-ASEP to draft a national strategy for energy efficiency in the power sector.

This is aimed to strengthen “the Government Energy Management Program through building energy performance standards and benchmarking, including reviewing the Energy Efficiency Bill for finalization,” Fuentebella said.

Workshops will also be done until mid-2018 and a high-level study abroad, among others, for the capacity development subcomponent.

Fuentebella said all of these efforts would contribute to fulfilling the three key results areas for the program such as strengthening the capacity of energy sector stakeholders to pursue a pro-poor sustainable energy policy and institutional reforms; facilitating investments to increase access to renewable energy in rural, remote and high-poverty areas, especially in Mindanao and promoting pro-poor and disaster-resilient innovative energy solutions for job creation and wider access, like solar or hydropower pumps, solar lanterns and solar dyers.

So far, a progress report covering April to September submitted to the DOE enumerated work programs already met under the subcomponents of rural electrification, energy efficiency and capacity development programs.

Under rural electrification, the policies for Missionary Electrification Subsidy Rationalization, Streamlining and Harmonizing Power Contracting Process for Off-grid and its Implementing Rules and Regulations; and Enhancing Policy and Regulations to Attract Off-grid Investments, have been completed and undergoing final review by the DOE.

The program for appliance standards and labeling, including the development of product particular requirements (PPRs) for LED lamps, was completed while the preparation of recommendations on PPRs for TVs, washing machines and electric fans will continue.

“The DOE-ASEP cooperation initiated a market survey for LED lamps and the design of energy labels for LED, aircon and refrigerators,” Fuentebella said.

The EU has provided a P3-billion grant to support the ASEP, launched in 2014, to achieve electricity and efficiency goals.

Under the program, the EU is currently calling for proposals from electric cooperatives, private sector, social enterprises, micro-finance institutions, non-government organizations and civil society groups for the pro-poor and climate resilient innovative energy solutions.