Greenpeace slams Aquino’s ‘lack of leadership’ in green energy program

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WEDNESDAY, 29 JUNE 2011 20:41 P. ISLA AND J. MAYUGA

GLOBAL ecology group Greenpeace on Wednesday expressed “deep disappointment” on President Aquino‘s “lack of leadership” in the country’s  sustainable-energy program after the chief executive led the inaugural early this week of a coal-fired power plant in Naga, Cebu.

“Coal-burning for power generation has been a huge contributor to the climate-change impacts that the Philippines is dealing with right now. Instead of relying on short-sighted, reactive measures he should focus on long-term solutions that benefit everyone by delivering energy security and energy access for all,” Amalie Obusan, climate and energy campaigner, said in a statement.

Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, meanwhile, underscored the need for greater research and development (R&D) in renewable energy (RE) at the recently concluded Vienna Energy Forum (VEF).

In his ministerial statement, Almendras, a panelist in one of the forum’s sessions, said developed countries have a crucial role in pursuing a “green” economy. “We call on developed countries to provide the necessary funding and technologies for green industries, especially for those which we could not develop on our own. Let us work hand in hand at developing and building economically viable solutions to address our unique green industry needs,” Almendras said.

RE from geothermal, hydropower, biomass, solar and wind account for 27.2 percent of the Philippines’ total primary energy mix. 

With the inclusion of natural gas, Almendras said the Philippines green power generation stands at 55.1 percent.

Obusan added: “Instead of continuously promoting coal, President Aquino must take this golden opportunity to make sure the massive uptake of RE is realized here in the Philippines.”

Mr. Aquino earlier graced the Department of Energy’s grand launch of the National RE Program in Manila. He, however, failed to set an ambitious but realistic target of 50 percent RE by 2020, Obusan said.  

While the nation anxiously waits for Mr. Aquino to act on his bold statements, he “is losing focus” by inaugurating coal-power stations in the provinces, she pointed out.