DoE highlights Phl energy agenda at AMEM37

Secretary Cusi encouraged his fellow Energy Ministers to maximize the benefits of having shared borders by actively pursuing joint energy resource development activities within the region

Potential of going nuclear DoE Secretary Alfonso Cusi (left) stated that the Philippines remains open to the possibility of harnessing nuclear energy for the country’s energy requirements so long as it is both feasible and viable to implement the highest safety and compliance standards. DoE photo

BANGKOK, Thailand — Department of Energy (DoE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi led the Philippines in advancing the country’s energy agenda at the 37th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM37) held from 2 to 6 September 2019 at the Athenee Hotel Bangkok.

As part of efforts to intensify global response to climate change, Secretary Cusi, during the AMEM Dialogue with the International Energy Agency, underscored the importance of imbibing a culture of energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) among ASEAN member-countries. Citing the recent passage of the Philippine EE&C Act in May 2019, he reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the ASEAN’s Partnership for Sustainability, and welcomed private and public support initiatives as the Philippines seeks to establish efficient technologies and conservation measures as a cornerstone of business and governmental operations.

Based on the World Energy Council’s Energy Trilemma Index, the Philippines has consistently been at the forefront of environmental sustainability since 2015. At the AMEM Dialogue with the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Energy Secretary emphasized that the Philippines’ energy goals are in line with the ASEAN’s sustainability mission. Taking the cue from President Rodrigo Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address last July, Secretary Cusi further said the country would continue to pursue activities that would contribute to the ASEAN’s target of increasing its renewable energy (RE) component in the total primary energy mix of the region to 23 percent by 2025.

In terms of the country’s RE landscape, he noted that RE generation growth has kept pace with the increase in the total generation capacity, indicating that RE is able to compete with conventional energy sources without the crutches of subsidies. This, for the Secretary, is a signal that it is now possible to wean off traditional models of tax breaks or subsidies in boosting RE investments. Furthermore, he also discussed the various RE policy achievements of the country, which include the Renewable Portfolio Standards, Green Energy Option Program, and the current move to look into the feasibility of a Green Energy Rate.

With energy security as a common goal among ASEAN members, Secretary Cusi encouraged his fellow Energy Ministers to maximize the benefits of having shared borders by actively pursuing joint energy resource development activities within the region. He also took it as an opportunity to introduce the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program, and invited those present to take advantage of the positive investment climate in the country.