(WeGen's solar PV system in Pamilacan, Bohol. Proof-of-concept of how effective solar energy is in helping transform poor household and entire communities and for the better. )
Renewable energy (RE) is an industry that shows great potential in the Philippines. The growing adoption and utilization of RE in other countries serve to encourage companies to invest in RE, and rightly so, because the country should work harder to further reduce carbon emissions and to fight climate change.
Renewable energy resources (geothermal, hydropower, biomass, solar, and wind) comprised 25 percent of the country’s power generation mix in 2017. Renewable energy-based facilities generated 23.19 million megawatt-hours (MWh) in 2017, up by 5.5% from 2016’s 21.98 million mWh.
There remains enormous potential for RE development in the Philippines. According to reports from Businessworld (2018), the Philippines still has an enormous 76,600 MW of potential for wind energy after about two decades of development.
Promoting the use of renewable energy will help the Philippines end energy poverty. In the last 10 years, renewable energy technologies have become cheaper compared to diesel or kerosene-based systems. Building RE systems is also cheaper than extending the grid in areas with low populations and per capita energy demand.
Building microgrids that run on solar power can empower poor communities so they can meet their energy needs and reap the benefits of electrification.
The systems can be maintained cheaply, and Filipinos who live off their renewable electricity will no longer be at the mercy of volatile fossil fuel prices or the unsustainable demands of the electricity monopolies and unscrupulous electricity providers.
Energy poverty can be solved by increasing access to clean, renewable, and affordable sources of energy to generate electricity. This will benefit Filipinos, the environment, and the economy in the long run. There will be no worries about the potential damage that can be wrought on the country and the planet.
Increasing the supply of electricity has been proven to significantly decrease poverty and improve the quality of life for the poor. With electricity in rural areas, communities’ access to clean and safe water can be improved. Refrigeration and temperature-controlled storage of farmers’ crops and agricultural products can be ensured, and community-based health services run by clinics and hospitals will become more possible.
Finally, increased electricity supply from renewable energy sources can contribute to the economic growth of communities. It can bring down production costs, encourage innovation, and spur agricultural and industrial productivity. The social benefits are myriad, and the impact on the environment can be nothing but positive..#