DoE calls for development of more RE power sources

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Energy (DoE) is calling on the development of more renewable power sources as more than 50% of the country's energy mix is still dependent on imported fuels.

Jesus T. Tamang, director at the DoE Energy Policy and Planning Bureau, said yesterday the agency is looking to extend the presence of limited resources in the Philippines with the development of renewable energy.

"Energy, being the driver of the economy, shall always keep up with the growing demand; but as we know for a fact, most of our resources are finite such as those conventional fossil fuels which we commonly utilize for power generation and transport," Tamang said during the Energy Smart 2015 summit organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines yesterday in Cebu City.

The energy official cited the Visayas for producing power from wind resources with the recent completion of two wind farms in the region: the 54-megawatt San Lorenzo Wind Farm in Guimaras and the 36-MW Nabas Wind Farm in Aklan.

More RE sources are yet to be developed on top of the estimated potential capacities nationwide, he said.

As of August 2015, the DoE has already awarded a total of 682 RE service contracts to generate potential capacities of 13,574.68 MW.

"This is consonant with the National Renewable Energy Plan to triple the installed RE capacity of the country from 5,438 MW in 2010 to 15,304 MW by 2030," he noted.

Tamang noted the department is also looking at cleaner alternative energy sources and technologies.

"Natural gas is one of the so-called fuels of the future, which is the cleanest fossil fuel to date. Currently, the DoE is laying the foundation to support the natural gas industry of the country by facilitating the establishment of natgas (natural gas) infrastructures," he said.

An example of a natural gas infrastructure, he said, is the recently approved P10.5-billion Batangas-Manila natural gas pipeline.

Tamang said investors have to develop and explore natural gas reserves in the country.

"These initiatives follow the shift in demand and quest for cleaner fuels," he said.

The Energy department has also acknowledged the vital role of energy technologies in creating a clean energy.

Tamang said they have seen the viability of auto-LPG and compressed natural gas as a cleaner option for public transport use.

The DoE is currently procuring electric vehicles, known as e-trikes, in an aim to transform the Philippine transport system and lessen carbon emissions that largely contribute to climate change.