Renewable energy

Manila Bulletin

Punchline

By FRED M. LOBO

August 1, 2011, 12:07am

MANILA, Philippines — The country should now get serious about tapping renewable energy (RE).

Time for power switch and power mix.

***

The best way to deal with the continuous increase in fuel prices and an impending power crisis is to diversify power mix as a buffer to volatile international pricing and climate change, says the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines.

Time to listen and act accordingly.

***

“The Philippines has one of the highest power rates in Asia, mainly because of inefficiencies in the power sector and increasing reliance on imported fossil fuels,” WWF-International energy policy coordinator Rafael Senga says.

The truth hurts but we have to confront it.

***

The WWF officer warns that “with dwindling supplies and increasing demand, we should expect to pay even more in the coming years – unless we invest in indigenous renewable energy now.”

Act fast and don’t get hurt.

***

Senga points out that one of the country’s few competitive advantages is its vast renewable energy resources and it should therefore invest now in RE, just like China, United States, Germany, and South Korea.

Let’s tap what we have.

***

“Diversifying our power mix with renewable energy is not only good for the environment – it makes perfect business sense as well as mitigates climate change,” WFF-Philippines climate change director lawyer Gia Ibay adds.

Time to change our outlook in the wake of climate change.

***

WWF-Philippines, in a study called “PowerSwitch,” says that the country can develop 1,200 megawatts (MW) of geothermal, 2,308 MW of sustainable hydro energy, 235 MW of biomass, and 7,404 MW of wind power capacities in the next 10 years to raise the share of indigenous energy in the power mix to 50 percent.

Yes to lower dependence on oil and coal.

***

Energy Secretary Rene D. Almendras agrees with the use of RE and formally endorses installation targets for the private sector.

Time to launch power switch. And more energy, please!

***