Indigenous power sources will help make Philippines energy stable

Indigenous power sources will help make Philippines energy stable

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday said the Philippines' indigenous energy
resources can be maximized through the building of stable and sustainable
supply of affordable electricity with strong government support.

Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, made this statement
saying that he is now drafting a measure which will mandate the priority
procurement of power produced from indigenous resources in small power
utility group (SPUG) areas.

"This bill is still in the works...I am excited to file it when it's ready,"
Gatchalian told members of the National Geothermal Association of the
Philippines (NGAP) during its 14th Annual General Assembly Meeting in Pasig
City.

Under Gatchalian's proposed bill titled "Indigenous Energy Resources
Prioritization Act," he seeks to require distribution utilities and electric
cooperatives in SPUG areas to prioritize the procurement and dispatch of
electricity generated by indigenous sources.

These sources include those produced by geothermal plants, before
contracting with plants powered by foreign diesel and other external fuels.

Gatchalian pointed out that the development of indigenous energy sources,
especially renewables such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal, shields the
Philippines from supply shocks.

However, with indigenous energy sources, he said that the government is in
control of the stability and security of its own energy supply.

"Essentially, indigenous energy promotes Philippine energy independence,"
the senator said.

The neophyte senator, meanwhile, said that he would start working on the
proposed measure as soon as it is ready for committee discussions.

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Link to Original Article: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1001989

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com