Gov’t to change renewable energy mix

Bigger allocation eyed for solar, wind projects

11:42 pm | Thursday, November 1st, 2012

Energy undersecretary Jose Layug. Photo from doe.gov.ph

The Department of Energy (DOE) is planning to reallocate the installation targets among the renewable energy sources in favor of the more expensive solar and wind power projects.

Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr. assured the public, however, that such an action would not increase the feed-in-tariff (FIT) allowance—or the universal levy to be collected from all power consumers for the use of renewable energy facilities—beyond the estimate of 5 centavos per-kilowatt-hour (kWh).

The DOE has set a limited installation target of 760 megawatts. This means that only those projects that receive an allocation from this installation target—which refers to the total capacity of renewable energy projects that will be allowed to be constructed within a three-year period—will be subject to the feed-in-tariff rates.

Under the current installation target, the 250 MW has been allocated for hydropower projects, 250 MW for biomass, 50 MW for solar, 200 MW for wind power and 10 MW for ocean power.

The initial plan being studied by the DOE is to increase the installation target for wind projects by another 50 to 60 MW to increase the allowed capacity to as much as 300 to 310 MW. The installation target for solar projects may also be increased by another 30 MW to a total of 80 MW.

According to Layug, the reallocation was meant to address the oversubscription on the two particular resources. This means many of the proponents have wind and solar projects whose total capacities are much higher than the allocated installation targets.

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Tags: Department of Enery , Energy , Government , Philippines , renewable energy , solar power , wind power

http://profile.yahoo.com/VUFRGRCCA5JXOLKEVCJQ3FBW3Y Concerned Citizen

Who are the proponents? I hope these are not newbies in the renewable energy sector who will surely charge allowances for uncertainties because of their inexperience. I hope we pursue these projects wisely.
http://www.facebook.com/lolo.mo.73997 Lolo Mo

Obsolete na ang utak ni Layog. Better for him to resign as Energy Secretary. Nobody seems to be aware that we have the potential of getting imminence energy from sea current. We have two potential locations, first, the Surigao strait, and the other is San Bernardino Straight. San Bernardino Strait is located between Matnog, Sursogon, and Allen, Samar. There is a very strong sea current here coming from Visayan sea and Mindanao sea, spilling towards the Pacific Ocean. The Surigao straight is located in the Southern most part of Leyte and Northern part of Surigao. Here too has a swirling current that can provide us unlimited electricity. Water is hundred times more denser than air, so with just a fraction of surface, water turbine can generate more electricity. Unlike wind turbine which depends on the wimps of weather, the sea current is predictable. However, together with the sea hydroelectric generator is a storage battery to last for 4 hours to be use during the lull on water current.

Kaya hindi umuunlad ang economya natin dahil makaluma ang mga utak ng mga Cabinet Secretaries natin. Paano kasi, lahat sila ay mga politikal appointees. Hindi naba kayo nagsawa sa mga Filipino-Chinese na pumapapel bilang Cabinet Secretaries?
blainz

The current policy is too intrusive. Instead of the DoE allocating installation targets, why not simply taper off FIT as power generated from renewables reach certain milestones?

That way, we’ll see no restriction on renewables, there’s incentive to complete projects early, and there’s less administrative overhead.

Better to set policies like this at one time, so it would be less subject to suspicions of caprice, or worse, corruption. Imagine if a politician with connections to the fossil fuel industry tinkers with the next FIT review to favor his sponsors.

Policy weaknesses contribute their share on the poor placing of the country on the “Ease of Doing Business” report. We need to be more alert on this.
phantomofhope

puro salita na lang sa Pnoy admin…may nagawa na bang legacy projects?
Wadav

an 80MW target for solar is a pittance compared to other countries. solar power is the most versatile of all renewable source of energy! it is scaleable and quick to install. and at the moment, there is an oversupply of solar panels and prices have already dropped so much. now is the best time to install.

ever green

ok ba ang solar panel sa typhoon prone country like ours???? I mean di ba madaling ma damaged?? nag-iisip kasi ako maglagay sa bubong namin dito sa probinsya…..

Wadav

if you plan to install your own it is better if you know how. kc if you will buy from our local suppliers, medyo mahal. kung nakatira ka sa typhoon prone areas, you need to consult an engineer to build the mounting structure for you. have already put one in my farm, and it is really working! we are planning to scale it up soon. we have free water and free electricity from the mighty SUN… everyday…
hermiegrc3113

how much was ur investment and what is the capacity of ur system?
Wadav

at that time, the system installed cost was around $3.5/Wp, but currently the solar panel prices had dropped around $1.2/Wp. with this baka aabot lng ng $2.5/Wp or maybe less. initially we installed a 500Wp system and soon will become 1kWp. Really it depends on how and where you install your system. pag china made bilhin mo mas lower pa ang cost.

http://profile.yahoo.com/RXZ5XENTQSFR6HPWMLEUG3TGGY Kerby

Hindi ideal ang Solar power sa Pinas. typhoon ridden and wide swinging climate ang Pinas. Ang mga bansang may mataas na production ng solar energy halos karamihan ay may maluwang na desert land (USA, Spain, Etc) or very predictable weather patterns (Germany, etc) 1 more thing, Solar Energy need lots of land areas.

Wadav

yes it is sir! you can build one your own in your house too.. if you are talking about a solar farm, meron na kami sa Mindanao, a 1 MW solar power system and plans are in place to install a 30MW system. madali lng po mag install kc nagawa na po namin sa aming farm although maliit lng po sa ngaun. we will upgrade it soon.

Gov’t to change renewable energy mix

Bigger allocation eyed for solar, wind projects

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