USAID launches P1.6 billion project promoting clean Philippine energy

MANILA, Philippines — The United States government launched yesterday a P1.6-billion ($34 million) project to promote clean energy in the Philippines.

Through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US flagship project will support a more competitive, secure and resilient Philippine energy sector.  

The five-year, P1.6-billion Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) project will promote the country’s key energy sector priorities and support its climate mitigation goals.

US embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Law joined USAID Philippines acting Mission Director Sean Callahan and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi for a virtual memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing. Also present to witness the event was Energy Regulatory Commission chair Agnes Devanadera.

Through the ESP project, the US will work with Philippine government and private sector partners to improve the performance and efficiency of energy utilities, deploy renewable energy systems, enhance competition in the power sector and address energy sector cybersecurity.  

The US government will also mobilize more than P36 billion ($740 million) in private sector investment and help develop at least 500 megawatts of clean energy generation capacity.

“We look forward to building and sustaining new partnerships with diverse stakeholders across the energy sector whose collective efforts are required for a more competitive and advanced energy sector,” Law said.

Cusi expressed his optimism on the project’s positive impact on the Philippine energy sector. “The ESP will provide a wealth of opportunities for the DOE (Department of Energy), as we reevaluate the appropriateness of our current policies vis-à-vis our country’s energy goals,” he said.

During the event, Law also announced the Energy Evolution Challenge, a grant facility that will fund proposals to advance research and deployment of innovative energy systems.

The US and the Philippines are celebrating their 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.