TAGUIG CITY – The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB), conducted the Virtual Public Consultation on the Proposed National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) 2020-2040 on 18 March 2021.
The NREP outlines the policy framework enshrined in Republic Act No. 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (RE Act). It sets the strategic building blocks that will help the country achieve the declared policies set forth in the RE Act.
For the proposed NREP 2020-2040, the DOE is set to focus on pursuing energy security and sustainable future for the country.
“We are pursuing a Clean Energy Scenario, which envisions the transformation of the energy sector when enhanced policies and decisive measures are further introduced.
And to further support a low carbon future, we are prioritizing the issuance of the NREP 2020-2040 to achieve the envisioned target of around 34,000 MW of renewable energy installations by 2040,” Secretary Cusi said.
The virtual public consultation was attended by 441 participants from various electric power industry participants, RE developers, Government agencies, Donor Partners, the academe and other energy stakeholders.
In his opening message, DOE Undersecretary Emmanuel P. Juaneza thanked the participants for joining the public consultation and welcomed their comments and inputs to the NREP. He also highlighted the many opportunities awaiting the RE investors, considering market development support mechanisms for RE are now in place and are geared towards full implementation. These are the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), RE Market, Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP), Green Energy Option Program (GEOP), and the Enhanced Net Metering, among others.
REMB Director Mylene C. Capongcol, for her part, discussed the contents of the proposed NREP 2020-2040. She said the NREP will be consistent with the Ambisyon2040, setting a target of at least 35% RE share in the power generation mix by 2030 and come up with more than 50% RE share by 2040. The NREP also highlights the current and ongoing initiatives of the DOE with various Donor Partners and Government Agencies on the productive uses of RE. A snapshot of the ongoing policy studies was also presented.
Meanwhile, National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) Chair Monalisa C. Dimalanta said that achieving the targets set forth in the NREP requires a whole of society approach. She emphasized that this is not just about choosing a cleaner source of fuel, but about developing communities. She expressed hope that the direction being taken is towards a cleaner, more reliable, and sustainable system for all.
Sectoral Roadmaps for the BiGSHOW (Biomass, Geothermal, Solar, Hydropower, Ocean and Wind) were also presented showing the target capacity additions by 2040 and the strategies that will be adopted to reach such targets.
DOE Undersecretary Robert B. Uy, in his closing message, assured that the DOE will look into the comments and inputs of the participants and address the issues raised.
After the public consultation, the DOE will finalize the NREP 2020-2040 which is expected to be published this year.
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