DOE-USAID partnership seen to boost investments in PH energy sector

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Wednesday touted a partnership with the United States Agency for Internatio­nal Development (Usaid), saying this would help rev up private investments in the Philippine Energy sector.

The partnership meant the joint conduct of a three-day workshop dubbed Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) Activity, that kicked off on Wednesday, held online and hosted by the Usaid.

According to the DOE, this activity is also intended “to promote advance technology deployment and boost the resilience of the [Philippine] energy sector against sectoral shocks and stresses.”

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the United States remained “a solid ally” and one of the Philippines’ major trading partners.

“We are hopeful that our collaboration to promote energy security and development will be sustained and even enhanced,” Cusi said in a statement.

Participants include representatives of government entities such as the National Transmission Corp., National Electrification Administration, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Climate Change Commission, Mindanao Development Authority and Philippine Competition Commission.

National Grid Corp. of the Philippines was the only private sector participant in the list.

Cusi said the DOE expected the Philippines to benefit from the ESP’s mobilization of private sector investments to encourage more engagement and collaboration with nongovernmental entities to implement complementary interventions.

“We anticipate that the project will contribute to our shared goals with the US government’s Asia-Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy Initiative to help combat poverty and foster economic progress,” Cusi said.

“The ESP also augurs well for our consumer empowerment policies for a transparent, competitive and rules-based energy market,” he said.