Local governments are urged to look at and follow the move of Negros and Leyte islands who are making the case for communities powered by renewable energy to help the Philippines attain energy security amid worsening climate change.
“Studies have repeatedly pointed out that the Philippines is the 3rd most vulnerable country to climate-related hazards and we need to take bold action to reverse that. One decisive step we can take is to transform our energy sector and the islands of Negros and Leyte show that it is possible and now even a reality,” said Marvin Kenneth Bailon, head of Energy Development Corp.’s Business Development–Market Planning and Contracts.
Negros and Leyte have an abundance of renewable energy sources in both islands give them the edge over other parts of the country. The two islands host the geothermal capacity of EDC.
“Since geothermal energy can provide continuous power 24 hours a day, it serves as the best source of baseload power,” said Bailon.
To date, EDC has a geothermal capacity of 1,181 megawatts (MW) or 60 percent of the country’s total geothermal output.
For almost 40 years, EDC has been powering the islands with what is considered the “holy grail” of renewable energy sources.
Bailon also said electricity generated from geothermal sources are helping consumers enjoy more competitively priced power rates.
The Philippines is currently the world’s third largest producer of geothermal energy after the US and Indonesia, and EDC accounts for 61 percent of the country’s current installed capacity.
EDC’s 711.4-MW Leyte Geothermal Project (LGP) is home to its largest geothermal facility and has the biggest wet steam field in the world. The facility supplies power to Leyte-II Electric Cooperative and Leyte-III Electric Cooperative.
On the other hand, EDC’s Southern Negros Geothermal Project (SNGP) supplies 2MW to Negros Oriental I Electric Cooperative, 25MW to Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative, 20MW to Central Negros Electric Cooperative and 3MW to Northern Negros Electric Cooperative.
These comprise around 16 percent of the island’s power supply out of its peak demand of 312MW.
“With the examples set by the provinces of Negros and Leyte, we are optimistic that a greener energy future lies in store for the entire country,” Bailon said.