Energy essay writing tilt launched

MANILA, Philippines - As part of the celebration of the National Energy Consciousness Month spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DOE), the industry’s stakeholders launched the second Energy Essay Writing Contest for college students. This year’s theme is: “Energy access for more: How can the youth be involved in solving the country’s energy challenge?”

 Contestants may submit entries on the main theme or on four special categories: Clean Energy Solutions, Best Energy Market Solutions (which deals with demand-side management initiatives or how efficient energy resources can be used); Enhancing Electricity Market Competitiveness; and Green Workplace.

The project is an inter-university competition aimed at promoting the young Filipino’s role in attaining sustainable energy independence while maintaining a sound ecosystem. Qualified to join the contest are 16 to 30 year old students who are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degrees during the academic year 2010-2011. For the special categories, submissions from Filipino students who are studying in universities/colleges abroad are also welcome.

 Entries should be between 1,000 to 1,500 words and deadline of submission is April 30. For inquries, email [email protected] or call 0927-9862168. Details of the competition are also available at www.energyyouthleaders.com.

 The grand winner will receive P50,000 cash plus trophy from major corporate partner Pilipinas Shell Petroleum, while special category winners will receive P35,000 cash prize each plus trophy from the following corporate and institutional partners: Energy Regulatory Commission for Enhancing Electricity Market Competitiveness; Aboitiz Power for Clean Energy Solutions; San Miguel Corp. for Best Energy Market Solutions; and Calenergy International for Green Workplace. Other partners supporting this endeavor are Energy Council of the Philippines, Quezon Power Philippines, Korea Electric Power Corp., Manila Electric Company and National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, among others.

The contest seeks views on the new generation’s contribution towards a clean, efficient and sustainable source of energy for both the oil and electricity sectors. The contest will also look for the youth’s views on the best types of eco-friendly power generation and energy conservation policies and measures to support development.

During the launching, Shell country chairman Edgar Chua remarked that his company “recognizes that to enable the journey towards the new energy future, there is a need for collective action from peoples and governments across the world. To be effective in the call for change, education and communication play a vital role, as they put forward energy dialogues and influences policy debates on measures that need to be adopted in order to effectively manage energy issues such as climate change.”