Manila eyes 3-fold rise in RE use by 2030

Manila Times.net

By James Konstantin Galvez Reporter

THE Philippines expects the share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix to increase threefold by 2030, the Department of Energy (DOE) said on Tuesday.

In his speech during the launch of the Philippine National Renewable Energy Program, DOE Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said the government is aiming to increase the country’s renewable energy capacity to 15,400 megawatts by 2030 from 5,400 MW in 2010.

Almendras said renewable energy plays a crucial role in the Philippines’ energy self-sufficiency targets, adding that the country was already 57.5 percent self-sufficient last year, with 27.21 percent from renewable sources.

He however noted many challenges along the way before the country can fully realize its goal of achieving energy self-sufficiency through renewables.

He cited the need to balance the transition to cleaner technologies in ways that will protect existing consumers and future generations.

In his keynote speech, President Benigno Aquino 3rd said his administration will keep a “watchful eye” to help make NREP more advantageous to all stakeholders.

“What we will do is mitigate the impacts of these emerging technologies so as not to cause a shock to our consumers. We want to pave the way for the maturity of our renewable energy sources such that we can provide predictable, affordable, and fair electricity pricing for each and every Filipino,” Aquino said.

He said that clean energy development is one of the immediate priorities of the government, and that it will vigorously support initiatives to support renewables development by way of policies and guidelines that will ensure a level playing field, transparency, and fair electricity pricing.