WWF: DOE should maximize renewable energy sources

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MANILA – The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to make use of the available renewable energy in the county to improve the country’s source of power.

This was discussed last month during the 20th Conference of Parties (COP 20) of the 2015. For the next 2015 United Nations Climate Conference slated on November 30 to December 11 this year, discussion will focus on the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to address climate-change issues.

Currently, the country’s power mix is made up of 70 percent fossil fuels with 90 percent of coal and oil imported.

According to WWF, the DOE can target to increase solar and wind energy installation.

Last December, Philippine Climate Change Commission Vice Chair Lucille Sering said that the country aims to submit its INDC by June this year.

The Philippines has advantages especially in terms of energy from geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar.

“Most of our power rate jumps were caused by generation cost hikes. With fossil-fuel prices continually rising due to dwindling supplies and soaring demand, the cost of our electricity shall rise even further. The best solution is to use existing RE resources to shield us from the cost volatility of fossil fuels,” says WWF-Philippines Climate Change Head Gia Ibay.

WWF, in 2013, launched a campaign dubbed “Seize Your Power.” It encourages financial institutions, private investors, pension funds, and governments to support affordable RE sources.