Renewable energy study launched at ASEAN meeting

AMEM REPORTS: Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and delegates meet the press in concluding the 35th ASEAN Ministers Energy Meeting and Associated Meetings (AMEM35) at the Conrad Manila. In photo along with AMEM35 Chair and Philippine Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi (center) are (L-R) ASEAN Center for Energy Executive Director Dr. Sanjayan Velautham, ASEAN Secretariat Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN Community and Corporate Affairs AKP Mochtan PhD, AMEM35 Vice Chair and Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry S. Iswaran, and International Renewable Energy Agency Director General Adnan Amin. (Photo: asean2017.ph)

MANILA – A study on renewable energy-powered mini-grid deployment in the Philippines was launched during the 35th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM35) and Associated Meetings on Thursday.

Energy Secretary and AMEM35 Chair, Alfonso Cusi, and Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Adnan Amin led the ceremonial turnover of the “Renewable Energy Outlook” during the media briefing held at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

During the AMEM35, Cusi highlighted the importance and commitment of ASEAN member states to pursue renewable energy (RE) as a sustainable energy source to meet the region’s growing energy demands to spur industrial and economic growth.

IRENA is an inter-governmental association that supports the transition of all countries towards a sustainable energy future. It serves as a principal platform for collaboration and cooperation regarding RE.

According to Assistant Director Atty. Marissa Cerezo of the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau, the Philippines has been a member of the IRENA since its inception in 2009. IRENA currently has 152 member countries.

Cerezo also mentioned that the Philippines is one of 29 countries that have undergone a renewable readiness assessment (RRA) to determine how the country can efficiently shift from traditional energy sources to RE.

“With a baseline of 5 gigawatts (gW), we had a projection of 15 gW in 2011. The Philippines now has an increased RE target of 20 gW by 2040,” Cerezo said.

The ministers were also united in forging a sustainable renewable energy cooperation, together with the active participation of IRENA.

“We have a long way to go, so we have devised a Renewable Energy Outlook as a guide to narrow the gap on the RE initiatives in the region,” Cusi said. (PNA)