TAGUIG CITY – The Department of Energy (DOE) held a virtual public consultation on the proposed increase in the annual rate of renewable energy that electricity suppliers are mandated to use as part of their power offering to the grid.
Conducted on 10 September 2010 in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB), the consultation focused on the draft Department Circular (DC) “Prescribing the Adjusted Annual Percentage Increment to be Imposed on All Mandated Participants of the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) for On-Grid Areas.”
The Renewable Energy (RE) Act of 2008 prescribes the RPS, setting a minimum percentage that energy suppliers are required to source from eligible RE resources to contribute to the growth of the RE industry in the country.
Section 9(b) of the RPS On-Grid Rules allows the DOE, in coordination with the NREB, to adjust the minimum annual percentage when the prevailing rate is deemed insufficient to attain the target RE Share.
In its proposed 2021-2040 National Renewable Energy Program, NREB recommended an increase in the Annual Percentage Increment (Km) from the initial 1% to 2.52% starting 2023, to meet the country’s aspirational RE share of at least 35% in the country’s energy mix by 2030 and achieve an even higher RE share by 2040.
Renewable Portfolio Standards Composite Team (RPSCT) Chairperson DOE Assistant Secretary Redentor E. Delola and Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) Director Mylene C. Capongcol led the public consultation, together with representatives from the NREB, and the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC).
REMB Director Mylene C. Capongcol said that the proposed adjustment in the Km or the Annual Percentage Increment is critical as they are now finalizing the National Renewable Energy Program.
“We’re just waiting for this to release the National Renewable Energy Program which would spell out all the policies and programs to promote and develop the renewable energy industry in the country,” she said.
Assistant Secretary Delola presented the draft Circular, highlighting its salient features and purposes. He also gave an overview of other DOE policies and programs that will contribute towards compliance with the proposed increase in the Annual Percentage Increment.
Among those that he discussed include the Enhanced Net-Metering Program, Green Energy Option Program (GEOP), Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP), and other developments under the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) Policy.
Meanwhile, Mr. Alberto R. Dalusong III, representing NREB, discussed the methodology, notes, and assumptions used in determining the appropriate Adjusted Km to meet the aspirational target of 35% RE share in the country’s power generation mix by 2030.
REMB Assistant Director Cerezo, in her closing remarks, thanked all the participants and also assured the Mandated Participants of DOE’s assistance in their compliance with the RPS Rules, stressing the importance of working hand-in-hand to meet the country’s RE share target levels.
A total of 481 participants, including Mandated Participants, representatives from the RE market, as well as RE stakeholders from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao joined the virtual activity.
The public consultation was made possible through the Development for Renewable Energy Applications Mainstreaming and Market Sustainability (DREAMS) Project, funded by Global Environment Facility and United Nations Development Programme.
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