Rich countries asked to help Philippines expand research into RE

MANILA, Philippines—Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras has urged developed countries to pursue a more extensive global research and development for renewable energy, noting that this is their crucial role in pursuing a “green economy.”

“We call on developed countries to provide the necessary funding and technologies for green industries especially for those which we could not develop on our own. Let us work hand in hand at developing and building economically viable solutions to address our unique green industry needs,” Almendras said in his ministerial statement at the recently concluded Vienna Energy Forum (VEF).

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) organized the Vienna Energy Forum to facilitate international dialogue on providing universal energy access and increasing energy efficiency. The VEF was attended by heads of state, policy makers, experts, civil society and private sector representatives.

Meanwhile, the Ministerial Meeting on Energy and Green Industry, which was held parallel to the VEF, was conducted in preparation for the 10th anniversary of the Earth Summit to be held in Rio de Janiero, Brazil in 2012.

Almendras also shared with the delegates the Philippines’ own experience in renewable energy, as he stressed how clean energy from biomass, geothermal, solar, hydro, ocean and wind resources could help provide electricity to remote towns and ensure national energy security.

“Renewable energy accounts for 27.2 percent of the total primary energy mix. With the inclusion of natural gas, the Philippines green power generation stands at 55.1 percent. We have achieved this (VEF’s) goal of (having) 30 percent green energy in (total primary energy mix),” Almendras said.

Renewable energy, he added, could also help bring about energy access for all as the government has been looking at these clean sources as a means for providing energy access to the remaining 27 percent of the population without electricity.

The energy chief said the Philippines would sustain the country’s green energy sector through the National Renewable Energy Program.

According to the NREP, which now serves as the roadmap for the country’s renewable energy plans and development, the DoE is even expecting a whopping P1.2 trillion in fresh investments within the next 20 years.

These hefty investments will see the construction of renewable energy facilities, which can generate a combined 9.865.3 megawatts by 2030, on top of the 5,400 MW renewable energy generation as of the end of 2010.