Renewable energy proposals swamp govt

The Department of Energy said interest in renewable energy projects remain strong, as it pointed to as much as 50 proposals awaiting its approval. Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan said these “40 to 50” contracts include solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal and other green power projects.

The government has approved more than 200 contracts since the Renewable Energy Act was signed into law in December 2008.

Once these projects are put up they would generate over 4,400 megawatts of clean and indigenous
power.

This volume of electricity is more than enough to supply the present demand from the Visayas and Mindano, which are both suffering from power shortages.

Energy Secretary Jose Ibazeta said the renewable energy industry would continue to expand especially in areas not connected to the country’s power grid.

To facilitate investments in renewable energy projects in off-grid areas, the energy department has conducted studies on feed-in-tariff (FIT), a structured rate for proponents that would guarantee their returns over a set period.

“We’re looking at the rules and on how it can work because it will have a long lasting effect on the rates itself. That’s what we’re doing now. Thus, if it cannot be finished and yet started, then I think the new energy secretary should continue focusing on the Renewable Energy Act,” Ibazeta said.

The National Renewable Energy Board has already sent its proposal for the FIT rules to the Energy Regulatory Commission. The tariff incentive is scheduled for implementation within the year. –EUAN PAULO C. AÑONUEVO REPORTER, Manila Times