Philippines' Clean Energy Plan One Of The World's Best
Asia Pulse, - The Philippines has been hailed for one of the most ambitious yet realistic renewable energy plans in an international conference early this year hosted by the German government, World Wide Fund said.
Raf Senga, WWF-Philippines climate change program policy officer, said in a statement that the Department of Energy (DOE) was chosen among the 10 best actions plans along with China, Egypt, New Zealand and Germany during the conference participated by 130 countries to map out an international action plan for the development and use of renewable energy.
The conference was held in Bonn, Germany early in June. "The Philippines presented one of the most ambitious yet realistic renewable energy expansion targets," he said.
Senga said proper implementation of all the combined action plans during the forum will reduce an estimated 1.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide emission, the main greenhouse gas that causes global warming.
The Philippine action plan targets to double the country's renewable energy capacity in the next 10 years.
This will add another 4,700 MW of clean energy mainly from geothermal, wind, solar, hydro and biomass resources to the country's power generation capacity and will bring its share in the nation's energy mix to nearly 40 per cent, according to Senga.
Once implemented, the country will dislodge the US as the world's top producer of geothermal energy. On top of this, the country will also become the biggest wind energy producer in Southeast Asia.
Senga said that WWF-Philippines, one of the conservation organizations that accompanied the DOE in the conference, believes that prioritizing the development of indigenous renewable energy over imported fossil fuel such as coal and oil, will improve the country,s energy security especially in light of the spiralling cost of coal and oil in the world market, both currently at historic highs.
According to WWF, renewable energy systems are more economical. They can generate jobs and save the country,s dollar reserves because we no longer have to buy imported fuel oil.
A recent study conducted by WWF and the UP solar laboratory study showed that a 41-percent share of renewable energy in the country,s total energy mix will cost an average of P3.1235 per kilowatt hour, which is even lower compared to P3.1592/kWh for a 50 per cent share of coal.
The pollution and health hazard that are usually brought about by coal-fired power plants are not yet being factored in this cost.
Senga said WWF is confident that a renewable energy law will be filed in the next Congress.
"Its passage is seen as crucial in attaining the country's goal to be a world leader in renewable energy," he said, "Clearly, this brings the country to a clean energy future."
"The Philippines is one of the few countries in the world blessed with vast renewable energy resources," he added, "Fortunately, there is also a growing demand from local communities for clean power. The next batch of legislators should thus heed this call and pass the landmark bill soonest. This is the future of energy."
8 December 2004 Asia Pulse Pte Limited
