Low Carbon News in Philippines in June 2015
3 June 2015
DOE e-system to hasten process for new energy projects
The Department of Energy (DOE) unveiled on Wednesday, June 3, a new web-based system designed to cut the processing time of energy projects.
The Energy Virtual One Shared System (EVOSS) is aimed at cutting down the time it takes to obtain the necessary permits to start a renewable energy project.
“We want to make our lives and the lives of our partners easier, With the introduction of the EVOSS, we are helping ourselves make better our efforts while accelerating the development of our industry,” said Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla in his keynote speech during the launch.
The DOE is developing EVOSS with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability projects (B-LEADERS), and in coordination with other government agencies.
More information, please visit: Rappler
5 June 2015
‘Solar scholars’ in Visayas promote renewable energy
RE-Charge, an initiative that brought a fleet of electric jeepneys to Tacloban, held the first Solar Scholars Workshop in Tacloban City on May 26 to 28. The workshop aimed to equip the participants with knowledge on how to use “Tekpak” during disaster response and medical emergencies, especially in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas where there is no electricity.
The RE-Charge Tekpak is a portable community solar system capable of powering laptops and lights, charging cell phones, and radios, and powering medical services and other community needs. It is composed of 100-watt solar panels, 3 LED light bulbs, inverter, and batteries. It is placed in a water-tight suitcase.
More information, please visit: Rappler
5 June 2015
Gov’t awards more renewable energy projects
A total of 664 renewable energy (RE) contracts have been awarded by the Department of Energy (DOE) as of end-April this year.
The DOE said these contracts have a potential generation capacity of 11,799.96 megawatts (MW) as against a total installed capacity of 2,799.70 MW.
Of the total number of awarded renewable energy projects, 403 are for hydro power; 82 for solar; 50 for wind; 44 for biomass, 42 for geothermal; and 8 for ocean energy. A total of 629 contracts were awarded for grid use.
More information, please visit: ABS-CBN News
10 June 2015
Legarda questions PH use of coal for energy
“Detached from human reality.”
This was how Senator Loren Legarda described certain government agencies that gave permits to new coal plants, despite well-established information that coal produces carbon dioxide, which worsens climate change.
“The worst source of carbon is coal. So why did we approve 21 coal power plant ECCs (Environmental Compliance Certificate)? This scenario scares me,” Legarda said during a Senate hearing on climate change on Tuesday, June 9.
Source: Rappler
15 June 2015
Mackay Green Energy to develop 32 MW biomass projects in Mindanao
Mackay Green Energy Inc. chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) James Mackay said the company will develop 32 megawatts (MWs) of biomass projects in Mindanao.
”We’ll build three projects in Mindanao, two 10 MW and one 12 MW,” Mackay told reporters.
Both Bukidnon-based Kalilangan Biomass Energy Corp. and Don Carlos Biomass Energy Corp. will serve as the vehicles for the two 10-MW projects, while Misamis Oriental Biomass Energy Corp. would develop the 12-MW project.
Source: InterAksyon
17 June 2015
ADB hosts clean energy forum ahead of climate talks
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) kicked off its 10th Asia Clean Energy Forum on Wednesday, June 17, amid a strong global push for renewable energy.
This is especially pertinent as world leaders will gather to develop a new universal binding agreement on climate change at the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Paris at the end of the year.
The 10th Asia Clean Energy Forum brings together energy ministers, policymakers, project developers, investors, and technical experts from across the region to discuss where the region stands on renewable energy.
Source: Rappler
20 June 2015
Why investing in renewable energy is a must for Philippines
Dubbed as the most important knowledge-sharing event on clean energy in the region, the 2015 Asia Clean Energy Forum brought together top global energy experts, government officials, investors and project developers at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters in Manila this week.
Now on its 10th year, the forum highlighted the need for more investments in clean and renewable energy, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.
Source: ABS-CBN News
23 June 2015
Burgos Wind Project bags 5th international award
The Burgos Wind Project (BWP) has been named the “Best ECA (Export Credit Agency) backed Green Deal” and one of the “Top Ten Global Deals of the Year” by the Trade and Export Finance (TXF), a London-based global publication. The BWP is the only project in the Philippines that made it to the elite list of awardees. This is the fifth international award received by EDC for its very first wind project.
Source: Energy Development Corporation
25 June 2015
Legarda lauds ‘Paradigm Shift’ toward green building
Senator Loren Legarda on June 25 lauded the launch of the new Green Building Code as part of government’s long-term transition to a low-carbon economy, noting that green buildings play a huge role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which are largely responsible for global warming.
Speaking at “Green Breakthroughs 2015” organized by the Philippine Green Building Initiative together with the Department of Public Works and Highways and other aid agencies as the official launch of the Green Building Code, Legarda stressed that the Code will be an important tool to strengthen resilience to natural hazards and improve our sustainable development strategies from the national down to the local level.
Source: Senate of the Philippines
30 June 2015
Energy department to allow exemptions from biofuels blend mandate
The Department of Energy (DOE) has allowed oil companies to not comply with the 10 percent biofuel blend mandate provided that they meet the 97 Research Octane Number (RON) requirement.
In Department Circular No. 2015-06-0005 issued Monday, the DOE said, “The ethanol blend requirement may be waived for Premium Plus Grade gasoline products temporarily.”
The DOE noted that the new policy was creatively schemed, aiming to decrease the dependency of local oil companies on foreign suppliers of biofuels, while allowing local biofuel producers enough time to meet the demand.
Source: InterAksyon