Renewable Energy & Sustainability Heroes by GineersNow Engineering GineersNow Engineering Magazine Issue No. 017, Ren | Page 61

Renewables Hold Great Promise for Philippines
IRENA recommends concrete actions for renewable energy deployment
and examines the institutional capacity in the
Philippine renewable energy sector, along with
the potential for electrification through renewable-
based mini- and micro-grid solutions.
“The Philippines has been exploring a variety of
options to build an energy independent future
supplied by sustainable, stable, secure, sufficient,
accessible and reasonably-priced energy sources.
In pursuit of this ultimate goal, the Philippines
has stepped up its efforts in promoting the
deployment of indigeno us renewables energy
over the past few years,” said Alfonso G. Cusi,
the Philippines’ Secretary of Energy.
Renewable energy sector policy making and
institutional evolution can support maintaining
Philippines’ development momentum and allow
it to achieve energy independence, according
to a new report released by the International
Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewables
Readiness Assessment: Philippines identifies
issues that the country needs to resolve to
unlock the full potential of its renewable energy
resources.
“Like many countries in its region, the Philippines
faces a growing population and rising energy
demand to power economic growth. Uniquely,
the archipelago is also frequently exposed to
tropical storms and natural disasters that affect
its energy structure. Renewable energy can play
a role in helping the country achieve greater
energy security and distribution despite these
challenges,” said IRENA Director-General Adnan
Z. Amin.
“The Philippines’ more than seven thousand
islands hold great renewable energy potential
that includes solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy, and
geothermal resources. Utilising these resources,
and guided with the support of IRENA, the
country is in a strong position to reap the
socioeconomic benefits of renewables and grow
the Philippines economy,” Mr. Amin added.
Renewables Readiness Assessment: Philippines
examines the energy sector holistically and
identifies barriers, as well as key actions to
accelerate renewable energy deployment. The
report puts forward options to strengthen the
Philippines’ renewable energy policy, regulatory
and institutional framework. It includes an
assessment of the country’s grid infrastructure
Resolved to bolster its energy security, pursue
low-carbon economic development, and address
climate change, in 2011 the Philippines set
an ambitious renewable energy target of 15.3
gigawatts by 2030 — a near tripling of 2010’s
5,438 megawatts.
Additionally, the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations recently set a regional renewable energy
target of 23 per cent by 2025, further committing
the Philippines to the pursuit of clean and
sustainable energy.
The readiness assessment recommends the
country undertakes a number of concrete
measures to support the Philippines
implementation of renewables and to fine tune
the country’s renewable energy policy, and
regulatory and institutional framework. These
recommendations include:
Raising public awareness of renewable
energy solutions to ensure sustained political
commitment.
Assessing the country’s grid infrastructure to
allow the development of proactive energy
planning and training.
Examining institutional capacity in the Philippine
renewable energy sector so as to identify skills
and resource deficiencies and enable more
effective capacity-building programmes.
Studying the potential for renewable
electrification through mini- and microgrids, and
develop policies and regulatory frameworks
for attracting investment and private sector
engagement.