Over 2.9 M jobs created by Renewable Energy Law

MANILA, Philippines – More than 2.9 million jobs have been created by the Renewable Energy Law, which has sparked a boom in wind, solar, geothermal, hydro and biomass power projects in the countryside, former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said. 

“We are proud to say that because of the law, we now have a thriving renewable energy industry that is delivering badly needed gainful employment,” Zubiri, author of the 2008 statute, said.

Citing statistics from the government’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau, he said a total of 2,958,000 jobs – mostly in construction and engineering services – have been generated by installed renewable energy projects, which have almost tripled in number since the passage of the seven-year-old law.

 “The good thing about construction-related jobs is that they tend to benefit low-income households. And considering that nearly all renewable energy projects are being put up in the rural areas, the jobs are being created where they are most needed by hard up families,” he said.

He said the private sector so far has invested some P100.6 billion in installed renewable energy projects with an aggregate capacity of 2,952 megawatts (MW).

He said the number of renewable energy developers applying for projects has increased 20 times. Prior to the passage of the law, only 20 developers applied for projects. Now, there are 406 developers applying for projects. 

The large renewable energy projects that have gone online include the Energy Development Corp.’s P21.3-billion, 150-MW wind farm in Burgos, Ilocos Norte; Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corp.’s P6.3 billion, 54-MW wind farm in San Lorenzo, Guimaras; and PetroWind Energy Inc.’s P4.5-billion, 36-MW wind farm in Nabas, Aklan.

“Besides creating jobs and other economic benefits, renewable energy produces little to zero global warming emissions, thus helping to improve air quality and public health,” Zubiri said. 

He also said the vast and unlimited sources of renewable energy also assure the country of a more dependable supply of electricity at stable prices in the years ahead.

Zubiri is an independent senatorial aspirant who is guest candidate on the tickets of the three leading presidential hopefuls – Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.