(Concepcion, Tarlac). Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said Friday that he sees Renewable Energy like solar energy contributing more in meeting the power requirements of the Philippines in the years to come.

Cusi made the forecast as he attended the groundbreaking of a 150 megawatt (MW) solar power project in Concepcion, Tarlac.

According to the project proponent Solar Power Philippines, the solar farm will be utilizing Philippine-made solar panels and could power around 300,000 households once completed later this year.

“Currently, the country’s power demand is at 13,000 MW and our supply is barely 14,000 MW, hence we need more power as well as reserve power,” said the DOE Chief.

Technology neutral, the DOE nonetheless sees the continuous increase of solar power in the years to come, especially in helping attain the 25% ideal power reserve requirement of the country.

“The power storage of the plant’s proponent is a welcome development for the DOE and for the country because if solar can be stored already, we can source more of our power from solar energy,” said Cusi.

“Solar plants without a reliable storage facility would only be good for peaking and mid-merit, especially during daytime when the electricity demand spikes,” he added.

"Solar power plants with reliable storage capability can be most useful in island countries like the Philippines," Cusi clarified.

Cusi revealed that the renewable energy share of the country now stands at around 32%, which is the highest in the Southeast Asian region.

“We are mandated to secure sufficient, quality, reliable and reasonably-priced electricity and to develop our indigenous energy resources, thus we are open to any technology to achieve these objectives,” Cusi concluded.

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