PH, alongside Japan and Singapore, cited for ‘transparency’ in power sector

The Philippine power sector fares better than the majority of its Asian neighbors when it comes to crucial data transparency needed to accelerate renewable energy transition, according to a new report.

Independent energy think tank Ember and climate impact multiplier Subak said the Philippines has an “acceptable” overall transparency score, meaning it could provide data on fuel breakdown, real-time demand and price with little publishing lag.

This is the same rating achieved by more developed economies such as Japan, Taiwan and Singapore, Ember and Subak revealed in their joint “Asia Data Transparency Report 2023: Understanding the state of data transparency for power sector decarbonization in Asia.”

The groups noted that the Philippines has “regional data with two- to three-month time lag, good fuel breakdown and additional capacity, real-time demand, and price data, as well as day-ahead schedules. There is also access to limited real-time generation data.”

ERC’s push for transparency

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) recently launched a new feature on its website that allows energy stakeholders and consumers to access approved generation rates in power supply deals entered into by distribution utilities.

This forms part of the commission’s efforts to promote transparency in the energy sector.

For its part, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines publishes daily supply, demand and spot market price data.

Ember and Subak said making power sector data open and freely accessible across Asia has a pivotal role in decarbonization, as electricity demand in the region continued to rise twice as fast as the rest of the world.

Asia currently accounts for 62 percent of global power sector emissions and 80 percent of global coal generation, thus putting pressure on the world’s most densely populated continent to stop global temperature rising to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The report found that more than half of 39 economies in the region have either poor or insufficient power data.

“Data is essential for climate professionals to monitor, track and set clean power targets, as well as to develop innovative technologies for better grid flexibility and engage in evidence-based policy-making,” said Subak data cooperative associate Justine White. INQ