Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday asked the Department of Energy (DOE) to explain the delay in the submission of a new energy roadmap to Congress.
Gatchalian said the DOE was supposed to submit to Congress an updated energy roadmap on Sept. 15 as mandated under Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).
The Philippine Energy Plan (PEP), which extends up to 2050, seeks to increase the use of renewable energy and come up with an energy mix towards a clean energy scenario. The Philippine aims to increase its renewable energy capacity to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.
“The Philippine Energy Plan will be the foundation for achieving cleaner energy, promoting economic growth, and enhancing the well-being of our people,” said Gatchalian.
He said the submission of the PEP was more than three months overdue, and the plan is crucial in ensuring adequate supply of energy. “The DOE needs to comply with this requirement immediately,” Gatchalian said.
The PEP is a comprehensive roadmap for the energy sector, ensuring sustainable, stable, secure, sufficient, accessible and reasonably-priced energy.
DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said they planned to submit the plan in February as they were still incorporating the smart and green grid to the PEP.
He said DOE was also updating the biofuel component of the PEP after the government decided to increase the mandated blend.