Solar power developers call for streamlined processes

Business World Online
Posted on November 23, 2011 11:20:07 PM
BY EMILIA NARNI J. DAVID, Reporter


GERMAN and Filipino solar power developers are calling for simpler processes in applying for contracts to facilitate more interest from investors.
Dr. Guenter Matschuck, ECCP director and Maschinen & Technik, Inc. president, gestures as he talks about the advantages of simplifying the rules for eligibility for renewable energy in the Philippines. -- Photo By Jonathan L. Cellona


Developers are also urging the government to implement the feed-in tariff as early as possible.
“The rules for eligibility for renewable energy in the Philippines are too complicated because in Germany developers only have to download a form and there is no need for lawyers. It would be better if it were simpler and there are less administrative expenses,” said Guenter Matschuck, vice-president of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in a briefing with the media.
Philippine solar power developers are also urging for simpler processes.
“We want to sit down with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Energy department to talk about simplifying the process. The way we see it is that construction prices are going down for solar power but the transaction to get them set up is not,” said Tetchi Cruz-Capellan, spokesperson of the Philippine Solar Power Alliance.
German and Filipino companies met for business-to-business meetings as part of the “Renewables Made-in-Germany” Program of the German Embassy.
The program, which singles out Southeast Asia for development of renewable energy especially solar power, is hoped to attract more clean technology businesses from Germany to the Philippines.
Ms. Capellan also noted the need to implement the feed-in tariff as early as possible.
“The delay in the implementation of the feed-in tariff is unexpected but the Philippines is learning how to approach the rates. We are hoping that there is more support from the government to implement the feed-in tariff and these business-to-business meetings with foreign investors is a signal to the government that the tariff is urgent,” said Ms. Capellan.
Representatives of the German Embassy said the country has a lot of experience in the solar industry because the country already has an installed capacity of 22 gigawatts (GW) of solar power.
Germany is also planning to install at least 50 GW of solar power by 2020.
“German firms can provide training, systems and other solutions to Philippine companies. We see that there is a big market for solar that is still growing especially with the ever lowering prices of the technology. The Philippines should make use of its solar potential,” said Jan Knaack of the German Solar Industry Association.