DOE pushes reg’l energy plans

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Energy (DOE) is calling for the creation of regional energy plans.

Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla said the regional plans would help in the promotion of alternative sources of energy and help promote energy security across the country.

 “The need for regional energy planning is essential for us to explore potential energy sources and promote regional energy security across the nation,” Petilla said.

He said the formulation of regional energy plans is fundamental in the execution of the projects and programs cited under the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP), the country’s energy blueprint.

Right now, the DOE is working on the Palawan and Mindoro energy plans.

In a recent presentation on the power situationer and outlook, of Palawan, Petilla said the Department of Energy has awarded 25.08 megawatts of renewable energy projects in the province.

There is also a pending application of 5MW and a potential RE site for 1.7 MW.

Majority of the RE projects use solar and hydro electric power. The biggest project is the 10MW Puerto Princes Solar Power Project, earlier awarded by the DOE to Enfinity Philippines Renewable Resources Inc.

In the island of Mindoro, meanwhile, the DOE has awarded 189.3MW worth of RE projects the biggest of which is the 48MW Puerto Galera Wind Power Project of the Philippine Hybrid Energy Systems Inc.