“We should not forget that progress should be inclusive – let no one be left in darkness, most especially those at the margins of society. Let there be light for all.”
Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi declared this during the opening of National Energy Consciousness Month (NECM) 2018 and the DOE’s 46th anniversary at the agency’s headquarters in Bonifacio Global City on December 3.
The DOE is urgently pushing for the total electrification of unserved and underserved areas and the exploration and development of the country’s indigenous energy resources.
The DOE has called on the National Electrification Administration to undertake all necessary measures towards the electrification of said areas, which include ensuring the complete submission of the Master Plans of electric cooperatives (ECs); fast-tracking the implementation of the Total Electrification Program by directing ECs to energize all households within the entirety of their respective franchise areas without exemption; directing ECs to evaluate the feasibility of hybridization as a means to lower electricity prices and ensure uninterrupted power supply; and studying other methods of extending financial assistance to ECs.
Sec. Cusi also underscored the necessity of adopting a two-pronged approach of energy conservation and total electrification not only in celebration of NECM, but also as the overarching principle in realizing the country’s energy agenda.
“Energy remains to be a cornerstone of Philippine economic development. It is also very important in our daily lives. Thus, it is crucial that energy services are delivered to each and every Filipino,” he stressed.
Among the strides made by the Department in this regard include the enactment of an Energy Resiliency Policy, the implementation of Renewable Portfolio Standards, the establishment of a Green Energy Option Program, the streamlining of executive processes, as well as measures that promote competition and promote a level-playing field for all industry stakeholders.
In line with this, the DOE has launched the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program for petroleum on 22 November to reignite petroleum exploration and development activities in the country.
“I call on all the members of the energy family to heed the challenge of broadening our perspectives. We do not stop at knowing that we have the energy ability. We need to make sure that others have it as well,” Sec. Cusi concluded.
The theme for NECM 2018 is “Fostering Innovation, Resiliency and Sustainability”. This is in line with the DOE’s goal to attain energy security, sustainability and self-sufficiency at the earliest.
The Department of Energy (DOE), is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for preparing, integrating, coordinating, supervising and controlling all plans, programs, projects and activities of the government relative to energy exploration, development, utilization, distribution and conservation as mandated by RA 7638 (Department of Energy Act of 1992).
Proclamation No. 1427 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on 11 December 2007 provides for the celebration of NECM to coincide with the DOE’s anniversary.
The observance of NECM held in the month of December every year highlights the importance of energy in the daily lives of Filipinos and in the country’s economic development.
Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulation
The DOE has been working towards the implementation of the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulation, which will provide standardized guidelines on the natural gas industry.
The DOE has amended the Retail Rules for the downstream of the oil industry and issued the Code of Safety Practices for LPG Refilling Plants that will safeguard the interest of the public against the unscrupulous trading of petroleum products while providing regulations on emerging and expanding technologies in the retailing of liquid fuels.
The DOE has also improved the standards for biodiesel blends for both automotive and industrial diesel oil, incorporating the Euro IV-Philippine grade which lowers sulfur content for cleaner emissions. As of November 2017, biofuels registered capacity already reached 857.02 million liters, derived from the 10 bioethanol and 11 biodiesel producers.
The DOE said that even with nearly 5,000 megawatts of installed renewable energy (RE) capacities, the DOE is continuously processing RE Service Contracts to push for cleaner and sustainable energy.
There are a total of 193 applications RE Service Contracts as of November 2017. Further strengthening these efforts are DOE’s initiatives to issue policies towards renewable portfolio standards and green energy option, with both undergoing public consultations through the National Renewable Energy Board.”
Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INRI) Mission
The DOE and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INRI) Mission on December 10 as part of the activities of the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO).
“In the spirit of technology neutrality, I decided to reignite the discourse on nuclear power despite its being taboo,” Cusi underscored. He also highlighted that the Philippines has ranked first among 125 countries in the Energy Trilemma Index of the World Energy Council in the last four years, with a renewable energy share of 24.6% in the country’s generation mix.
However, the DOE chief expressed his concern over the country trailing behind in terms of energy security and energy equity, which are the two other dimensions of the Energy Trilemma. The Philippines placed 70th on energy security and came in at 96th place for energy equity.
Thus, the DOE is openly considering the feasibility of introducing nuclear power into the energy mix of the country in the race to provide uninterrupted, secure, reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity throughout the archipelago. This would also improve the country’s over-all Energy Trilemma Index rank, which currently stands at 74th out of 125 countries.
At the onset of the Duterte Administration, the DOE has adopted a technology neutral approach to allow the unhindered consideration of all options to achieve the energy goals of the Philippines.
The nuclear event serves as the country’s status report to the IAEA of progress made relative to the 19 infrastructure issues that need to be addressed before the Philippines is able to embark on a full nuclear energy program.
The event was attended by IAEA Nuclear Division Director Dohee Han; IAEA Review Team Leader Milko Kovachev; other IAEA personalities and partners from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI); and members of the NEPIO headed by DOE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos. The country’s initial undertakings on the nuclear energy option with the support of IAEA and PNRI include the establishment of NEPIO in 2016 and the DOE’s submission to the Office of the President of its proposed national position on nuclear energy in April 2018.
The DOE assures the public that the government will continue to apply a calculated and scientific approach in evaluating the feasibility of nuclear energy for power generation, and ensure that the nuclear policy of the country will be comprehensive and sound, especially in terms of safety.
“We need to make the Philippines energy-secure and equitable in the midst of ever-growing demand. We need to generate inclusive and sustainable economic development and make the country globally competitive,” Cusi concluded.