Solar technology could power the rest of the Mindanao region as investors like Germany-based WeGen Company see potential in the island.
“We have yet to see the overall picture of the power energy situation of the region, then surely we could come up with certain remedies on the matter,” said Chief growth officer of WeGen Philippines Charlito Ayco during the 1st Bangsamoro Energy Forum and Planning Workshop.
The firm’s goal is to eradicate poverty through clean, affordable, and renewable energy, with the use of solar power technology.
“You see, our firm is ‘mission-based’ as we cater to areas we see have long been affected by electrification and other power woes,” Ayco said.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) Ministry of Environment, Natural, Resources, and Energy ended its two-day forum with ideas of regional power summit planned before the year ends.
“The just-concluded forum is aimed for us to have a plan before holding a big summit. We are planning to have an energy summit,” MENRE-BARMM Minister Abdulrauf Macacua was quoted in a Philippine News Agency report.
Macacua said there are other local and foreign investors interested in investing in the development of sustainable energy in the region, aside from Germany.
“Our potential partners are looking at renewable energy and one of those is solar power, they are more inclined on that,” he said.
“Germany, for example, they came to us for the sole purpose of seeing the possibility of putting up solar or renewable energy,” Macacua said.
Renewable energy is seen to be important to sustainable development of the region, according to BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim.
“Providing households access to electricity is vital in meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), specifically SDG 7, which calls for access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all,” he said.
“The protection of our environment and bringing renewable energy to the far-flung areas in the region,” Ebrahim added.
The MENRE-BARMM is the arm responsible for activities related to energy exploration, development, utilization, distribution, and conservation in the region.
The forum with the theme “Strengthening Opportunities for the Bangsamoro Energy Sector as Catalyst for Regional Development” was attended by around 100 stakeholders.
