DOE Conducts Nationwide IECS for 2012-2030 Philippine Energy Plan

Energy, as a valuable commodity, has a direct impact on the country’s economic growth.  Recognizing the long gestation periods of energy projects and investments, the Department of Energy (DOE) has formulated the 2012-2030 Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) to be launched in December 2012 in time for the annual celebration of the National Energy Consciousness Month (NECM).  

The Energy Plan highlights the policy vision of an economy which will become largely decarbonized with the development and utilization of renewable energy – hydro, geothermal, solar, wind, biomass and ocean energy and with DOE taking the lead in promoting energy efficiency as a lifestyle, and advocating the use of alternative fuels for the transport sector. 

The DOE has also simulated the energy needs of the country over the next 20 years by considering factors such as a 10.0 percent target energy savings across all economic sectors – transport, industry, residential, commercial and agriculture; an increase in the number of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-fed buses and possible introduction of CNG taxis, electric vehicles; and higher application of biofuel blends (biodiesel and bioethanol).  To further curb the country’s energy demand, the Plan also seeks to scale-up energy efficiency investments in both private and public sectors to generate more energy savings.  The Plan also envisions accelerating the development and production of indigenous fossil fuels.

The low carbon programs outlined above will support the government’s climate change mitigation strategies thus helping the country achieve progress in meeting its greenhouse gas reduction goals. The PEP aims also to climate-proof the energy system to help ensure they continue to provide energy services under all impacts of climate change.

Prior to the PEP’s publication, the DOE started its nationwide Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to inform the energy stakeholders.  DOE already conducted IECs for Region IV-A last October 11 in Batangas and Region V in Naga City last October 18. Upcoming IECs will be held in the following regions:

  • Region I and CAR in Ilocos Norte (Oct 25)
  • Region II in Tuguegarao (Nov 13)
  • Region IV-B in Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Nov 20)
  • Region VI in Roxas City (Nov 22)
  • Region VII in Tagbilaran  (Nov 15)
  • Region VIII in Tacloban City (Nov 7)
  • NCR (Dec 14)

The IEC for the National Capital Region will be held during the 2012 NECM and 40th DOE Anniversary celebration. 

For Mindanao, a series of consultations instead of IECs, will be conducted for the Mindanao Energy Plan (MEP).  The MEP is the first of the various regional energy plans that will be prepared by the DOE.  The MEP is formulated to address specific energy issues and concerns affecting the region.  The DOE will be drafting energy plans for Visayas, North and South Luzon, cognizant of the fact that these island groups have unique energy issues that affect them.  The consultation activities in the different regions in Mindanao will commence in the last week of November.