Energy
From The Report: Philippines 2018
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The prevailing narrative of the Philippines’ energy sector in recent years has centred around energy security concerns and the challenge of meeting growing demand. Efforts to realign the energy sector were ramped up during 2017 with the launch of reforms targeting investment and the promotion of efficiency. Modifications to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 have come at a critical juncture for the Philippines, as robust economic growth has outpaced the sector’s capacity to meet surging demand. Due to the imminent exhaustion of the country’s gas fields, dependence on imports of hydrocarbons has grown, worsening the current account deficit. In addition to falling reserves, the cost of electricity is also a major concern. This chapter contains an interview with Alfonso Cusi, Secretary of Energy.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Power plans: Depleting reserves give impetus to long-term policies that address rising domestic demand and sustainability concerns
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The prevailing narrative of the Philippines’ energy sector in recent years has centred around energy security concerns and the challenge of meeting growing demand. Efforts to realign the energy sector were ramped up during 2017 with the launch of a couple of reforms targeting investment and the promotion of efficiency. Modifications to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 have come at a critical juncture for the Philippines, as robust economic growth has outpaced the sector’s capacity…

Interview

Dynamic mix: Alfonso Cusi, Secretary of Energy, on promoting investment in both hydrocarbons and renewables
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Interview:Alfonso Cusi What do you consider necessary to spur the growth of renewables in the country’s energy mix? ALFONSO CUSI: The Philippines has a strong commitment to renewables. This is why the ASEAN target for 2025 of 23% renewable energy generation has been surpassed by the country with, 27% as of the first half of 2017, placing us in the top spot regionally. We now have the lowest carbon emissions in the region – six times lower than the global average – and the Philippines…

Analysis

Exploring options: New alternative sources to maintain energy security
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One of the most important pillars of the reform agenda led by the Department of Energy (DoE) is ensuring energy security. With rising demand and the inevitable depletion of the Malampaya field, policymakers are looking towards alternative sources. New Terminal Transforming the natural gas industry from an emerging state to a mature market has been identified by government as a key enabler for energy security. In the fourth quarter of 2017 the DoE issued a draft circular, known as the Philippine…

Analysis

Cheap and clean: Attempts to cut costs while reducing the carbon footprint
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In response to public demand, the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed its commitment to reducing monthly energy bills, which have long weakened household purchasing power. Previous administrations have endeavoured to improve transparency across the sector and reduce energy costs, evident by the creation of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 and the establishment of the wholesale electricity spot market; however, electricity tariffs in the Philippines…

Analysis

Accelerated approval: Recent order to expedite major projects and spur investment
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The signing of Executive Order No. 30 (EO 30) by President Rodrigo Duterte in June 2017 is set to nurture the long-term goals of the Philippine Energy Plan 2017-40 (PEP) by acting as a catalyst for major energy projects. The order seeks to address the lengthy and cumbersome permit process, which, in turn, has stalled investment and restricted the development of the national grid. The timeframe for project approval, particularly for ventures marked as energy projects of national significance…