By Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star) | Updated November 20, 2017 -
12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Department
of Energy (DOE) will integrate the work plans of European Union’s Access to
Sustainable Energy Program (ASEP) in the country’s energy plan to provide
sustainable energy to rural communities.
DOE Undersecretary Felix William
Fuentebella said Secretary Alfonso Cusi requires that ASEP work plans be
synchronized with the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) and the sectoral roadmaps.
“We have to focus on energy
efficiency and capacity building to further empower our people, especially
those living in the rural communities,” he said.
The ASEP is a joint undertaking of
the DOE and the EU to promote total electrification, energy security,
efficiency and sustainability in the Philippines.
Currently, the DOE is working with
EU-ASEP to draft a national strategy for energy efficiency in the power sector.
This is aimed to strengthen “the
Government Energy Management Program through building energy performance
standards and benchmarking, including reviewing the Energy Efficiency Bill for
finalization,” Fuentebella said.
Workshops will also be done until
mid-2018 and a high-level study abroad, among others, for the capacity
development subcomponent.
Fuentebella said all of these
efforts would contribute to fulfilling the three key results areas for the
program such as strengthening the capacity of energy sector stakeholders to
pursue a pro-poor sustainable energy policy and institutional reforms;
facilitating investments to increase access to renewable energy in rural,
remote and high-poverty areas, especially in Mindanao and promoting pro-poor
and disaster-resilient innovative energy solutions for job creation and wider
access, like solar or hydropower pumps, solar lanterns and solar dyers.
So far, a progress report covering
April to September submitted to the DOE enumerated work programs already met
under the subcomponents of rural electrification, energy efficiency and
capacity development programs.
Under rural electrification, the
policies for Missionary Electrification Subsidy Rationalization, Streamlining
and Harmonizing Power Contracting Process for Off-grid and its Implementing
Rules and Regulations; and Enhancing Policy and Regulations to Attract Off-grid
Investments, have been completed and undergoing final review by the DOE.
The program for appliance standards
and labeling, including the development of product particular requirements
(PPRs) for LED lamps, was completed while the preparation of recommendations on
PPRs for TVs, washing machines and electric fans will continue.
“The DOE-ASEP cooperation initiated
a market survey for LED lamps and the design of energy labels for LED, aircon
and refrigerators,” Fuentebella said.
The EU has provided a P3-billion
grant to support the ASEP, launched in 2014, to achieve electricity and
efficiency goals.
Under the program, the EU is
currently calling for proposals from electric cooperatives, private sector,
social enterprises, micro-finance institutions, non-government organizations
and civil society groups for the pro-poor and climate resilient innovative
energy solutions.
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