Clear energy transition plan sought

February 17, 2021
https://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news_business/clear-energy-transition-plan-sought/

Senate committee on energy chairman Sherwin Gatchalian is calling for an inquiry into the government’s energy transition plan following the Department of Energy’s recent order to ban the development of new coal power plants.

Gatchalian in a statement said the transition plan should address the country’s emission commitments under the Paris Agreement while ensuring stable and affordable power supply.

Gatchalian said the duration of the moratorium must be clearly laid out as well as the process on how other technologies can fill the gap left by coal to ensure that power cost will not increase and supply will remain ample.

The senator clarified he supports the thrust for cleaner energy sources but noted the need for a larger energy transition plan that declares the use of alternative fuels within a specific timeframe.



“Investing in renewable energy is the win-win solution for sustained economic growth in the country. We can have cleaner air at a much cheaper price and RE investments can bring in lots of job opportunities…there’s a need to look into the country’s energy transition plan, or lack thereof, in aid of legislation, with the end view of developing and ensuring an equitable, secure and sustainable energy transition,” Gatchalian said.

He said the Philippines recorded a 5.4 percent jump in total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 123.3 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2018 to 130 million MtCO2e in 2019.

As of 2019, the power generator sector had the largest share in total GHG emissions at 53.2 percent followed by the transport sector at 27.3 percent. – Jed Macapagal