PE2 cites inclusivity and innovative financing for energy efficiency in AmCham’s 7th Energy Forum
PASAY CITY, 29 August 2024 – The Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2) was invited by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) to serve once again as partner organization for its 7th Energy Forum, held earlier today at the Marriott Hotel.
PE2 president and Climargy CEO Alexander Ablaza participated in an energy business leaders’ panel discussion to gather market updates and opportunities for renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Philippines with Ronnie Aperocho of Meralco, Armando Gamboa of BlueFloat Energy, Miguel De Jesus of ACEN, Cris Vincent Alidon of Aboitiz Renewables, Lyan Villacorta of USAID Philippines, Carlo Vega of First Gen and Dennis Jordan of MGen Terra Solar. Patricia Tirados of GHD served as moderator.
Ablaza reminded the participants on how more inclusive the Department of Energy (DOE) has become as far as capturing more designated establishments in the commercial, industrial and transport sectors under Republic Act 11285 is concerned. He said, “With the issuance of a department circular last December, DOE has cast a wider net to capture more end-users that are now faced with obligations under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act. The significantly reduced annual consumption threshold of 50,001 kWh/year now captures smaller businesses and facilities.”
The PE2 chief also said that, to scale-up energy efficiency deployment, the economy will need to mobilize more off-balance sheet capital, especially through energy service company (ESCO) performance contracting. Over two-thirds of a projected PHP 12.1 trillion energy efficiency investment gap will be bridged through innovative finance, investment structures and procurement policy reform.
An earlier panel discussion with Bernd Krukenberg of Shell Energy, Belinda Racela of UC38 LLC, Don Paulino of Aboitiz Power Thermal Business Group, Miguel Dominguez of Alsons, and Dr. Carlo Arcilla of the DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute was moderated by Frank Thiel of Quezon Power Philippines and Jacqueline Robinson of Strategic Staffing Solutions. The discussion centered on updates and challenges of balancing traditional energy sources in the country’s energy supply mix.
Keynotes were delivered by Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta, Sen. Mark Villar of the Senate of the Philippines, Atty. Richard Nethercott of the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), Erel Narida of the Renewable Energy Association of the Philippines (REAP), and Rep. Mark Cojuangco of the House of Representatives.
With the theme, “Powering an Efficient and Progressive Future in the Philippine Energy Industry,” the forum’s dynamic discussions and updates on the Philippine Energy Plan were tackled along with the complexities of the energy mix supply, including non-renewable sources, plus a special session on the potential of nuclear energy in the Philippine energy market.
