DOE, USAID collaborate to review Philippine energy mix

DOE partners with USAID to review Philippine energy mix

The Department of Energy (DOE) continues to formulate a viable energy mix policy for the Philippines and invited the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to reach this goal.

Members of the USAID’s Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability (B-LEADERS) and Energy secretary Alfonso Cusi recently met to discuss plans and look into local reserve requirements.

The team is planning to look into indigenous energy in order to attain a stable price on the electricity market as opposed to relying on international market prices, a statement released by the DOE read.

“The study will focus on the energy requirements for economic growth trends, load consumption profiles for energy consumers, emerging energy technologies and local industry readiness, transmission configurations and network development,” it said.

“Our main concern now is to increase the availability of quality, reliable, secure and affordable supply,” Secretary Cusi said.

“We are also looking at establishing an “army of reserves” so that when there is lack of supply, we have something to rely on,” he added.

The DOE has also been working with the Climate Change Commission, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to formulate an energy policy framework.

“We want to be certain on the decisions that we will make in order to entice more investments,” the secretary said.