Thursday, December 2, 2010

Gov’t set to complete energy plan

By Amy R. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:28:00 12/02/2010


MANILA, Philippines—The government is set to come out with a blueprint on energy where as much as 80 percent of the country’s power requirements may come from renewable energy sources within the next 20 years, said Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras.
Speaking before delegates and guests at the Renewable Energy Forum held Thursday, Almendras admitted that the country, for now, would need to rely on fossil fuels, such as coal, for its baseload power generation.
Under the renewable energy plan, the Department of Energy hopes that by 2015—when power supply is expected to have stabilized with the completion of new power facilities—most of the country’s energy requirements will come from renewable energy sources.
Almendras said that P902.5 billion would be needed to develop the country’s renewable energy sources such as biomass, geothermal, solar, hydro, ocean and wind.
Based on studies made by prospective project proponents, at least 8,000 megawatts are expected to be generated from renewable energy sources between 2010 and 2030.
“Demand for energy will continue to increase as the country pursues the sustainable development path.... Renewable energy will not only help address this demand but also provide the necessary balance between development and environmental sustainability. The government so far has generated investment commitments of over P80 billion for RE projects,” Almendras said.
Under the 2011 Renewable Energy Plan, which is set to be completed in the first quarter of next year, the government will begin putting in place incentives and mechanisms to further entice investors in pushing through with their projects.
Also being developed are mechanisms for renewable energy host communities and incentives for local government units.

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