DOE taps academe as affiliated renewable-energy centers

Business Mirror

Published on Sunday, 07 October 2012 07:40

Written by Paul Anthony A. Isla / Reporter

THE Department of Energy (DOE) has recently decided to partner with academe in monitoring renewable-energy projects in the country, Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr. told reporters recently.

“We are partnering with academic institutions due to limited resources and personnel. We have entered into agreements with academe in setting up affiliated renewable-energy centers [Arec],” the DOE official said.

Layug said the department is still looking for universities all over the Philippines to help monitor renewable-energy projects, for research and development purposes, and to identify potential sites for renewable energy and available renewable-energy resources in their respective jurisdictions.

He said the DOE recently held a workshop and invited the existing 20 Arecs in the country.  Layug said the selection of Arec is based on their willingness to participate and assist the DOE, and to provide funding.

With the feed-in tariff issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission, Layug said more academic institutions have become interested to become an Arec.

Layug said Arecs can also be a recipient of the renewable-energy trust fund which they can use to finance research and development.

Under the contracts, Layug said the Arecs provide the DOE with a monthly report on where the funds are used; the funds are audited by the energy department.

At the launch of the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) in June last year, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said renewable energy currently accounts for 33.2 percent—or 5,438 megawatts (MW)—of the country’s total installed power-generating capacity, and 31.7 percent—or 4,413 MW—of the total dependable power-generating capacity.

According to the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Philippines abound with renewable-energy resources with as high as 200,000 MW to 276,000 MW in potential capacity.

“We are in a catch-up mode regarding renewable energy. The NREP should have been crafted right after the passage of the law in 2008. Nevertheless, we hope that the NREP will further enhance the country’s renewable-energy thrust as we face different issues on environmental and supply stability in terms of power, alongside the concerns of power users with power costs,” Almendras said.    source