More incentives sought for development of new, renewable energy sources

The Department of Energy (DOE) will lobby for greater opportunities and incentives for the development and utilization of new and renewable energy (NRE) sources.

In a press briefing yesterday, Energy Undersecretary Cyril C. del Callar said the department is reviewing all NRE-related policies with the end in view of formulating policies and incentives to encourage more businesses in the sector, as well as attract foreign technology and investors.

"We are looking at the whole gamut of incentives like income tax holidays and import duty-free capital equipment," Del Callar added.

The energy undersecretary said it is government’s aim to increase the power contribution of NREs into the national grid aside from off grid projects to benefit rural areas outside of the grid influence.

Energy-related companies from the United Kingdom are in Manila looking for joint ventures and business partnerships for the development and utilization of the country’s NREs.

Attending the business opportunity seminar are some 30 UK-based firms such as Hamilton Gibson Consortium Ltd., Rolls Royce Power Ventures Ltd., Alstom Power Industrial Gas Turbines, Garrad Hassan and Partners Ltd., BP Solar, Alstom Power Philippines, Biofine Technologies Ltd., First Renewable Ltd., Global Expertise (UK) Ltd., Solartech Systems Sdn Bhd., and Bronzeoak Ltd.

NRE is an environmentally-friendly energy technology that can reduce the dependence on expensive fossil fuel for developing countries like the Philippines. Among these technologies are solar, hydro, bio-mass, wind and tidal.

According to studies undertaken by Shell International Petroleum Co., renewable energy will account for 30 to 50 percent of energy consumption by 2050.

Meanwhile, more companies mostly from France are arriving next month in search of business opportunities in the Philippines. Among them are: energy financing firms Ademe, rural electrification specialist Gaudriot SA, photovoltaic (solar power) cell manufacturer Photowall International, and mini-hydroelectric power stations expert S.E.E.E.