DOE calls for more investments in energy

CEBU, Philippines - Energy officials are calling on the private sector to invest in energy in order to provide sustainable development and ensure sufficient power supply for the country in the coming years. 

Department of Energy (DOE) Visayas Field Director Antonio Labios said that the government agency is pushing for energy investments in the country particularly in the Visayas region.

He, however, clarified that the Philippines has an ample supply of power at present but will need more energy supply in the coming years. 

“We, at DOE commend the tremendous support of the private sector and hope this will continue. There are energy investment opportunities in the country. Investors should take the initiative to put up more power plants. Putting up a power plant now and operating it in the future would really help,” he said during the 4th Energy Investment Forum at Cebu Parklane Hotel. 

He added that they are planning to come up with policies for the sector and establish an environment conducive for energy investments.

Furthermore, DOE Undersecretary Josefina Patricia Asirit revealed that although there are potentials, indicative and committed projects that are already in process, Cebu may encounter power shortfall by 2015 if there will be no power plants put in place now.

One of the forum attendees, Jose Silvestre Natividad, president of Sunwest Water and Electric Company, Inc. (SUWECO), shared that the development of hydro projects is a vehicle towards sustainable development. He pointed out that the energy sector should also focus on providing reliable source of power and electricity in far flung areas.

Currently operating two mini-hydro power plants in Catanduanes, SUWECO is engaged in the creation and distribution of water and electric facilities in the Philippines with the main thrust towards the provision of clean energy and bulk water facilities to rural communities.

Investment opportunities in the energy sector cited during the forum include oil and gas, coal, downstream natural gas, downstream oil, alternative fuels particularly for transport, renewable energy and hydro power.

As of June 2011, there is a total of 13 power plants in Cebu of which five are coal-fired, three are hydroelectric and five are oil-based. 

The entire Visayas grid has 37 power plants with a total dependable capacity of 2,044.40 megawatt.

With the total peak demand of 10,216 megawatts in the country, the Visayas region accounted for 1, 481 megawatts of which Cebu shared a demand of 47.51% or 704 megawatts in 2011. (FREEMAN)