The Philippine Energy Plan for 2016 through 2030 will be guided by “nine strategic directions,” with the aim to link the Mindanao grid to Luzon and Visayas, the Department of Energy (DoE) said.
DOE spokesperson Richie Pilares said ensuring energy security is the top priority and said that the strategy will include the reliability, availability and resiliency of existing power infrastructure and facilities.
“We’re pushing for the connection of the Mindanao grid to the already interconnected Visayas and Luzon grids,” she said.
The energy security will also cover the promotion of indigenous energy development and usage that could be similar to neighboring countries who are using existing resources in dictating fuel mix.
“We also have to climate-proof the energy infrastructure and facilities,” she added.
The DOE strategic plan includes the expansion of energy access, low carbon future promotions, power infrastructure and facilities investment, including the pursuance of development and implementation of local energy plans.
Apart from this, the DOE will also establish and implement road maps and action plans. It will also foster stronger international partnerships and relations, passage of a legislative agenda for the department, and strengthen consumer welfare and protection.
The strategic directions also include separate plans for power development, distribution, and transmission, missionary and household electrification.
“We want to achieve 100% electrification of targeted households in all the three major islands,” Pilares said.
The DOE legislative agenda will review laws in the likes EPIRA, RA 8479 also known as the “Downstream Oil Insustry Deregulation Act of 1998,” and the RA 9513 or the “Renewable Energy Act of 2008.”
Pilares added that they want to fasten the privatization of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) assets.
PSALM was established back when the country’s power sector went under restructuring under EPIRA. It handled power generation plants owned by the National Power Corporation, independent power producers and disposable assets.
“We want to promote a low-carbon future. We plan to institute a fuel mix policy and triple the renewable energy capacity by 2030 based on the 2010 level. But we’re studying this in relation with the economic development,” she said.
Separate plans for Mindanao, Visayas, Mindoro and Palawan will be developed under the Philippine Energy Plan.