Know Your Power – Renewable Energy in the Philippines

Summary

In this episode of *Know Your Power*, Maria Teresa Cruzan, CEO of Sun Asia Energy, delves into the future of renewable energy in the Philippines. She discusses the country's ambitious renewable energy goals, including a target of 35% renewable energy in the grid by 2030 and 50% by 2040. The conversation covers mechanisms like Renewable Energy Certificates and Portfolio Standards that help drive the transition, while also addressing challenges like energy intermittency. Cruzan also highlights the economic benefits of renewable energy in stabilizing electricity prices and the growing focus on solar panel recycling as the industry matures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass are sustainable and generate power from natural resources that are continuously replenished.
• 😀 The Philippines has a government program to decarbonize the environment by promoting renewable energy, with ambitious targets of 35% renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040.
• 😀 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) are key elements in the Philippine renewable energy market, with RECs being tradable certificates for renewable energy generation.
• 😀 The Renewable Energy Market Governance Committee ensures that the market operates efficiently and helps to meet the renewable energy targets set by the government.
• 😀 The Philippine government offers incentives to stakeholders who produce renewable energy to help accelerate the country's decarbonization and pollution reduction efforts.
• 😀 The renewable energy sector in the Philippines is aimed at providing affordable and sustainable electricity, with solar power plants reducing carbon emissions and electricity costs.
• 😀 Intermittency is a challenge in renewable energy, particularly with solar and wind, but the government has implemented solutions such as ancillary services and other technologies to stabilize power supply.
• 😀 The transition to renewable energy is crucial for reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, such as gas and coal, and mitigating price fluctuations in electricity and fuel.
• 😀 Renewable energy contributes to price stability in the power market by reducing reliance on volatile global energy markets, such as those for gas and coal.
• 😀 Solar panels have a lifespan, but 85-90% of their components, including glass, aluminum, and wires, are recyclable. The Philippines is studying best practices from other countries to manage solar panel disposal and recycling.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the podcast episode?

The main topic of the episode is renewable energy, focusing on renewable energy markets, technologies, and policies that aim to help reduce carbon emissions and provide affordable electricity in the Philippines.

What role does Maria Teresa Cruzan play in the renewable energy sector?

Maria Teresa Cruzan is the President and CEO of Sun Asia Energy Inc. and the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance. She is also a leading expert in renewable energy policy and a member of the Renewable Energy Market Governance Committee.

What are renewable energy technologies, and how do they work?

Renewable energy technologies generate power from natural resources that are constantly replenished. Examples include solar power, wind energy, hydropower, and biomass, all of which use natural elements like sunlight, wind, water, and organic waste to generate electricity.

What is the Renewable Energy Market in the Philippines?

The Renewable Energy Market in the Philippines is a platform that allows stakeholders to trade Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), which help ensure the country meets its renewable energy targets and encourages the production of clean energy.

How do Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) work in the market?

Renewable Energy Certificates are traded within a marketplace. Energy producers who generate renewable power can apply for certificates, which are then sold to utilities like Meralco or VECO if they are unable to meet their required renewable energy targets.

What is the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in the Philippines?

The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires energy companies to source a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. It aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix and promote clean energy production.

How does the Philippine government plan to meet its renewable energy targets?

The government aims to reach 35% renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040. This is part of a larger effort to decarbonize the energy sector and reduce pollution, with initiatives like the Renewable Energy Certificates and Renewable Portfolio Standards supporting the transition.

What challenges exist in the renewable energy sector, particularly regarding intermittency?

Intermittency is a challenge in renewable energy, particularly with solar and wind power, as they are dependent on natural conditions like sunlight and wind. The government is addressing this with various solutions, such as ancillary services to ensure grid stability and encourage the development of other technologies that can provide stable power.

Can renewable energy help reduce electricity prices in the Philippines?

Yes, renewable energy can help stabilize electricity prices by reducing dependency on imported fossil fuels like gas and coal. It can help protect the country from price volatility and reduce the impact of global market fluctuations on energy costs.

What happens to solar panels after their lifespan ends, and how are they disposed of?

Solar panels are highly recyclable, with up to 85-90% of their materials being recyclable, including glass, aluminum, and wiring. While the Philippines has only recently started its renewable energy program, the industry is learning from other countries' best practices on solar panel disposal and recycling to ensure sustainable solutions.