TAGUIG CITY- Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi has cited the need to recalibrate the department’s energy plans to make sure it continues to be responsive and effective in the country’s quest for sustained energy security.
“Energy is vital to support the country’s economic recovery and development especially during this time of the pandemic,” Secretary Cusi told the Department of Energy (DOE) executives and other attendees of the two-day workshop on updating the short-term outlook and other energy policy-related studies on 24-25 March 2021 via video teleconference.
“With emerging trends and challenges, we need to recalibrate our plans to bounce-back faster and to continue to bring accessible, reliable and affordable energy services,” he stressed.
The Energy Policy and Planning Bureau – Policy Formulation and Research Division (EPPB-PFRD) led the workshop and presented its on-going policy studies in accordance with the updated Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) for 2018 - 2040.
For his part, DOE Spokesman and Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella shared with the attendees that “due to the impact of COVID-19, the energy sector faced many challenges that necessitated adjustments to ensure continuity of energy services to our stakeholders.”
“Despite quarantine restrictions and the recent calamities we faced, we are able to implement the landmark energy laws and issue the necessary policies on energy efficiency, renewable energy, the promotion of indigenous resources and the coal moratorium,” he added.
DOE-EPPB Science Research Specialist II Mara Monsalve presented an energy study entitled “Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on the Energy Supply and Demand for Full-Year 2020 in the Philippines.” The policy studies assessed the impact of COVID-19 in terms of energy supply and demand for the full year 2020 as well as the risks that will impact the energy supply situation.
DOE-EPPB Senior Science Research Specialist Lilibeth Morales, on the other hand, provided an analysis on the relationship between Peak Demand and Maximum Temperature in the country’s main grids (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao).
As a member of Climate, Land, Energy and Water (CLEW) Nexus study group, DOE-EPPB Supervising Science Research Specialist Marietta Quejada presented the development of a model for bioethanol in the Philippines that will be the basis in updating its roadmap. The CLEW Nexus is part of the project under the partnership with United Nations Department for Economics (DESA), United Nationals Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The event was concluded by Assistant Secretary Caron Aicitel E. Lascano highlighting the importance of whole-of-government approach to attain an equitable energy that sustains economic growth.
The two-day event was attended by sectoral bureaus and attached agencies of the DOE, and representatives of Climate Change Commission (CCC), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Finance (DOF), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
###