The Department of Energy (DOE) renewed its commitment in boosting the energy sector to ensure energy security and resiliency for the country.
In his keynote speech at the 2018 Energy Investment Forum held at the Shangri-La at the Fort, Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi highlighted the importance of investments in the sector, adding that it was the Duterte’s administration top priority.
“Ensuring reliable, sufficient and affordable electricity in the country entails close cooperation and collaboration with all our partners in the industry,” Sec. Cusi was quoted as saying in a Philippine Information agency report.
“We need to step up to further strengthen and sustain our partnership, especially in terms of building energy resilient infrastructures, as well as in the exploration and development of our indigenous energy resources,” he was quoted as saying.
The energy department is working closely with the lawmakers for the implementation of the Energy Virtual One Stop Shop (EVOSS), which aims to fasten the permitting process of energy projects for their entire project cycle.
Citing the country’s requirements for additional capacity totalling to 43,765 MW by 2040, Cusi noted the importance of adding investments to meet these requirements.
He also noted the strengthened collaboration of DOE, National Electrification Administration (NEA), and Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives (PREC) in order to provide electricity to unserved and underserved areas by 2020, including initiatives to develop mini-grids.
Cusi also mentioned the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program for petroleum (PCECP), which attracts investors to “Explore, Explore, Explore” the 14 pre-determined areas (PDAs) for oil and gas exploration in the country, adding that investors have the available option to nominate areas they want to develop outside the 14 PDAs.
“You will nominate and apply for it, then we will process it accordingly,” he was quoted in the report as saying.
In terms of natural gas explorations, Cusi announced that the DOE is still open for proposals for the construction of an integrated liquefied natural gas receiving and distributing facility, as well as storage facilities that would aid the emergence of strong strategic petroleum supply for the country.
Among the attendees are Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Rodel M. Batocabe, DOE Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella, Energy Regulatory Commission‘s Judith L. Mangosing, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines‘ Darryl Lon A. Ortiz, Board of Investments’ Nestor P. Arcansalin and Asian Development Bank’s Andrew Jeffries.