DOE urges EU to develop ocean power

Manila Times.net
Published : Wednesday, February 29, 2012 00:00 Written by : Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo


THE Department of Energy (DOE) plans to draw investors from the European Union (EU) into developing ocean power technology in the country.


During a briefing at the 1st EU-Philippines Meeting on Energy, Jose Rene Almendras, DOE secretary said that the country can take advantage of EU member countries’ renewable energy (RE) expertise amid government’s thrust to develop clean and indigenouse energy sources.


”The intention really was to bring the EU’s expertise, knowledge and technologies to work with Philippine industries and businesses . . . the Philippines is the most ideal venue for ocean technology. We have water current, we have 7,700 plus islands that need power that are surrounded by the ocean,” he said.


Ocean power technology utilizes currents or temperature differences along large bodies of water to generate electricity.


Despite being surrounded by such vast resource, only two RE developers are pursuing ocean power technology in the country, namely California-based Deep Ocean Power Philippines Inc. and UK firm Belle Pirie Power Corp.


Deep Ocean was awarded earlier by the government the contract to develop ocean power facilities in Amini-y, Antique and Sablayan, Mindoro; while Belle Pirie was given the go-signal to put up a similar project in Cagangan, Zambales.


EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux, on the other hand, said that they are open to improving exchanges between their members and the Philippines especially in RE technology.


”The presence of many European countries . . . is a reminder that foreign expertise is already available to boost the Philippine renewable energy market, the same way that the Philippines have started to invest in foreign markets using their own know how,” Ledoux said.


About 40 European company representatives, including a visiting delegation of leading UK RE developers attended the EU-Philippine energy forum.