[ROUNDTABLE] Energy for Progress: Strengthening the vital links of our energy system

How do we ensure a secure energy future for Filipinos?

By now, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines raising red and yellow alerts in the Luzon and Visayas grids – due to limited energy supply – has become a yearly norm.

Whether caused by power outages, transmission bottlenecks, or concerns about our electric cooperatives, it’s not difficult to see our energy system needs a reexamination.

On the third year of Rappler’s “Powering Up” roundtable discussion, done in partnership with European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) and Aboitiz Power Corporation, leaders of the energy industry mull over the state of the Philippines’ energy sector and brainstorm solutions to the longstanding problems plaguing ordinary Filipinos’ lives. 

In assessing how electricity can be better accessed and enjoyed by everyone to maximize economic gain and minimize safety risks, we dissect the challenges and opportunities by zooming into the three main components of the power system: generation, transmission, and distribution.

Moderated by Ruth Yu-Owen, the energy committee chairperson of ECCP, Rappler’s latest roundtable discussion with AboitizPower is joined by the following leaders in the energy industry:

• Atty. Sharon Garin, secretary of the Department of Energy
• Atty. Francis Saturnino “Nino” Juan, chairperson and CEO of the Energy Regulatory Commission
• Prof. Rowaldo “Wali” del Mundo, associate dean of the College of Engineering in the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, who has since been appointed as the UP System’s vice president for development

“If we talk about supply compared to demand, they’re sufficient; we have installed and built power plants. In fact, with the increase in renewable energy, talagang marami,” Garin said. “The problem is: are these power plants fully functional? Are they in the right places? Is it the correct fuel?”

“Isa sa solusyon talaga ay yung pagkakaroon ng sapat na transmission capacity doon sa mga lugar na kailangan sila,” Juan also explained. “Kailangan mo rin may redundancy. Kung iisang linya lang iyan at magkaroon ng problema, hindi ka makapag-import [at] export.”

“What’s the problem here? Financing,” del Mundo remarked, commenting on electric cooperatives. “Kung hindi kakayanin makapag-raise ng electric cooperative, then hindi tayo magkakaroon ng pagbabago.”

The first episode probes the experts on the sufficiency of the Philippine power supply, as well as the stability of its grids and other power generation issues. 

In the second episode, they deep dive into the urgent need to expand and upgrade transmission lines, which may require an update of the 2016 edition of the Philippine Grid Code. 

Then, in the final episode, the conversation shifts to the structural challenges in the distribution sector, particularly for electric cooperatives, and the challenge of ensuring affordability of electricity for consumers.

Catch more of their insights by tuning into the three-part roundtable discussion.

EPISODE 1:

Play Video

EPISODE 2:

Play Video

– Rappler.com