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Friday, March 29, 2024

State’s role in RE questioned

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Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is seeking a review of the operations of PNOC Renewables Corp., saying there is no need  for government to go into renewable energy development.

“I was questioning the intention of PNOC-RC to go into renewables because without them, the renewable sector is already flourishing. So why are we competing with the private sector?” Gatchalian told reporters at the sidelines of the recently concluded The 1st Philippine Clean Energy Summit.

PNOC Renewables is a unit of state-owned Philippine National Oil Co.

The Energy Department is considering transferring the operations of the Agus-Pulangi hydro power plants in Mindanao to PNOC Renewables or other government-owned and controlled corporation.

“If you ask me, there’s no need for government to go into the renewables sector. I think the private sector is doing fine without government intervention… So, I don’t see any rationale,” Gatchalian said.

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He said the company could focus on renewable energy for missionary areas, but the role is already being done by National Power. Corp.

He said PNOC Renewables should shy away from missionary areas because to avoid significant losses to the government.

Gatchalian said the government should instead empower electric cooperatives to serve the missionary areas, or those not covered by the main electricity grid.

“I think as a policy, I don’t see the rationale why PNOC-RC should continue going into the renewable… I see it as another layer of inefficiency,” he said.

PNOC Renewables has been pursuing small hydro, roof-top-solar projects,  irrigation canals for power, among others in partnership with the private sector. It is the government’s corporate vehicle in the promotion and development of new and renewable energy sources in the country.

Officials earlier said PNOC Renewables was looking at up to 300 megawatts of power projects until 2018.

SN Aboitiz Power Corp., meanwhile, is securing an environmental compliance certificate from the Environment and Natural Resources Department for its proposed 390-megawatt Alimit hydro power plant in Ifugao province.

SN Aboitiz has started public hearings in four municipalities to be affected by the project, namely Lagawe, Lamut, Mayoyao and Aguinaldo.

The Alimit hydropower complex is composed of three power facilities—the 20-MW Olilicon and 120-MW Alimit plants and the 250-MW Alimit pumped storage project. 

“We learned a lot from the local government units, communities and indigenous people groups over the course of these public hearings and we are thankful for their participation. As a responsible developer, SNAP values their inputs and we will factor these as we review the final design and mitigation plans for the project to minimize impact,” SN Aboitiz chief operating officer Joseph Yu said.

The hearings were held for community members to learn more about the projects and raise concerns on social and environmental impacts, which will be part of the basis for Environment’s review or recommendations.

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