The Philippines is at the cusp of a major energy transition. With its abundant renewable energy resources, the country is poised to shift away from fossil fuels and towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

Organized by Meralco Power Academy and held on September 11-13, 2023, GIGA Summit 2023 brought together key stakeholders and energy industry players from the government, private sector, and civil society to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition in the Philippines

Preparing the Philippines for the Energy Transition

Nixon G. Hao, President of Meralco Power Academy, emphasized the importance of investing in education and training to develop the workforce needed to support the country’s shift to renewable energy.

He began his talk by discussing the challenges facing the Philippine energy sector. He noted that the country is heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels, which makes it vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply disruptions.

Deputy Administrator of the Meralco Power Academy Ernesto Silvano Jr. mentioned that the energy transition is a critical challenge and opportunity for our country. “We are one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change, and we need to transition to a clean energy economy to protect our people and our planet…” he added.

The viewpoints presented by these industry experts only emphasize the urgent requirement for cooperative endeavors and financial commitments in education and training to strengthen the country’s ability to withstand challenges and ensure long-term sustainability in the energy sector.

Philippines’ Position in the Energy Transition Roadmap

The Philippines is committed to an energy transition roadmap that targets a 35% share of renewable energy in the power generation mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040. This is ambitious, but achievable, given the country’s abundant renewable energy resources.

The Philippines is already making progress towards its energy transition goals. In 2021, renewable energy accounted for 22% of the country’s power generation mix, up from 20% in 2020. This increase was driven by the growth of solar and wind power.

The Philippine government is supporting the energy transition through a number of policies and initiatives, including:

• The Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which provides incentives for the development and deployment of renewable energy projects.
• The Green Energy Auction Program, which provides financial support for renewable energy projects.
• The Net Metering Program, which allows consumers to install rooftop solar panels and sell excess electricity back to the grid.

The Philippine government is also working to create a more enabling environment for the development of renewable energy, by streamlining the permitting process and improving the transmission and distribution infrastructure.

GIGA Summit 2023 Event Spotlight

The event hosted by Meralco Power Academy provided a platform for energy stakeholders to engage in conversations regarding the current landscape and prospects for the Philippines’ significant energy transition. Below are key highlights from the event:

Day 1 highlighted the global energy demand that is set to increase, with renewable energy being crucial. The Philippines should harness its renewable potential, prioritize energy efficiency, and bolster the electricity grid for renewable integration.

Day 2 of the GIGA Summit 2023 centered on crafting a sustainable energy future for the Philippines. Key areas included renewable investments, financing efficiency projects, smart grid development, electric vehicle integration, and ensuring an equitable shift to clean energy.

The final GIGA Summit 2023 day delved into energy’s future, focusing on innovation and transformation. Experts explored transformative technologies like energy storage, blockchain, and AI. Digitalization is already reshaping the energy market, enhancing efficiency and competitiveness. Future energy work demands new skills in renewables, efficiency, and digitalization. Innovation is paramount, requiring investments in research and a supportive innovation environment.

Photo Credit: Meralco Power Academy

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