Philippines prepares new renewable energy policies to curb coal dependence

• 4 years ago (2019-07-26)
• David Flin

Asia 848 Renewables 751

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The Philippines’ Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that it intends to fast-track implementation of two renewable energy policies, following President Duterte’s directive to reduce the country’s dependence on coal. The Philippines aims to double its power generation capacity by 2030 to support a growing economy, but it still relies heavily on coal.

Under the first policy, called the Renewable Portfolio Standards, Energy Secretary Cusi said power distribution utilities will be mandated to source a minimum portion of energy from renewable sources, guaranteeing a market for renewable energy producers. He said that the minimum requirement will be increased gradually every year.

The second policy is called the Green Energy Option. Cusi said that this: “Will empower consumers to demand that their energy is sourced from renewable resources.” He did not give details. He also said that the Department of Energy will establish a Green Energy Rate for 2000MW of new renewable energy capacity, or a baseline price that will “support the renewable energy generators with securing power supply agreements and selling their energy.” He said: “The Green Energy Rate will not be a Feed-in-Tariff programme and will not be subsidising the renewable energy generation sector. They will need to be competitive with current market rates.”