Press Release
January 31, 2011

ANGARA CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS

Senator Edgardo J. Angara said that the government should fast track the development and implementation of renewable energy (RE) systems in order to insure the nations power supply and to keep the country globally competitive in the RE industry.

Angara reported that the Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced that it is seeking alternative sources to deal with projected power shortages in Luzon and Mindanao and the lessening rainfall in the region, which the Manila Observatory (MO) attributes to climate change and global warming, will negatively affect the Mindanao power supply, which relies heavily on hydropower, which supplies 70% of the power to the region.

The Congressional Commission on Science Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) has studied the local power industries and advocates the development of RE energy, such as solar, wind and biomass.

COMSTE notes that many foreign companies are ready to enter the Philippines and stimulate the RE market. One Dutch firm recently indicated that it is ready to develop $100 million worth of solar arrays around the country.

Angara said that COMSTE and First Philec, a local solar manufacturer, have been collaborating to open the Philippines first solar testing facility Batangas. The facility is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) that can test different types of solar modules, arrays, and balance of systems components for optimal output in tropical conditions.

Angara noted that China, already the world leader in manufacturing wind turbines and solar panels, is working closely with industry and academe for R&D for RE systems and is posing itself to become the world leader in the industry.

Angara said that the Public Private Partnership (PPP) formula that China is using is one that the Philippines can emulate.

The Renewable Energy Research and Development Institute (RERDI), is a project of COMSTE that aims to bring industry government and academe under one roof to collaborate and create an environment of innovation for RE systems.

Under the RERDI umbrella, a team composed of members from Ateneo University, Alson Aquacutlure Inc., and two other photo bio-reactor companies are studying optimal conditions that will promote the growth of algae, which will be used as a biofuel, and the cleaning of coal fired plants by placing nearby aquaculture ponds.

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