Wazzup Pilipinas!
“The future of energy-efficient and environment-friendly motoring is right here, right now.” This was the atmosphere during the kick off of the 2017 National Energy Consciousness Month (NECM) as Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi on Monday (4 December) unveiled an electric vehicle charging station, four electric vehicles and four hybrid plug-in electric vehicles at the Department of Energy (DOE) headquarters in Taguig City.
Sec. Cusi and the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, Koji Haneda, test-drove a hybrid plug-in electric vehicle and presented to the public the electric vehicle charging station during the opening ceremony of the NECM 2017.
The DOE Chief said that the Japanese government donated the hybrid vehicles and electric cars to promote the use of efficient and environment-friendly transportation alternatives.
The charging station can charge two vehicles at a time. It can do fast charging for 30 minutes and normal charging from two to four hours. Charging can also be done at home using a special plug supplied by the vehicle's manufacturers.
The NECM 2017 was opened by its Chair, DOE Usec. Raul B. Aguilos, who said: “We themed the NECM2017 with the powerful message of inclusivity, bringing in the issues and concerns of our consumers while also providing them with options.”
“We should not limit ourselves to a month of energy consciousness. Our goal is to increase our people’s awareness about energy, and have them adopt a lifestyle change towards better energy choices every day,” he added.
In his keynote address, Secretary Cusi said, the DOE has been aggressive in formulating essential energy plans and implementing necessary programs to achieve the DOE’s nine-point agenda.
Sec. Cusi mentioned the DOE’s hosting of two international events: The Asia Cooperation Dialogue and 35th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting and its Associated meetings, which became venues for gathering inputs locally and internationally to finalize the Energy Resiliency Policy.
Sec. Cusi also underscored the benefits of Executive Order No. 30 in expediting the processing of energy projects of national significance, including the Philippine Conventional Energy Program (PCEP) which promotes the development of coal and petroleum resources.
The DOE has been working towards the implementation of the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulation, which will provide standardized guidelines on the natural gas industry.
"The DOE amended the Retail Rules for the downstream of the oil industry and issued the Code of Safety Practices for LPG Refilling Plants that will safeguard the interest of the public against the unscrupulous trading of petroleum products while providing regulations on emerging and expanding technologies in the retailing of liquid fuels," Cusi also emphasized.
Cusi further informed, "The DOE has also improved the standards for biodiesel blends for both automotive and industrial diesel oil, incorporating the Euro IV-Philippine grade which lowers sulfur content for cleaner emissions."
"As of November 2017, biofuels registered capacity already reached 857.02 million liters, derived from the 10 bioethanol and 11 biodiesel producers," he added.
The DOE Chief said that even with nearly 5,000 megawatts of installed renewable energy (RE) capacities, the DOE is continuously processing RE Service Contracts to push for cleaner and sustainable energy.
"There are a total of 193 applications RE Service Contracts as of November 2017."
"Further strengthening these efforts are DOE’s initiatives to issue policies towards renewable portfolio standards and green energy option, with both undergoing public consultations through the National Renewable Energy Board."
“These policies will not only boost RE utilization, but these will also be catalysts for sustainable development,” Cusi concluded.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi
National Energy Consciousness Month 2017
4 December 2017 at 9:00 a.m.
DOE Multi-Purpose Building
Energy Center, BGC, Taguig City
To our energy development partners, His Excellency –Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda, attached agencies (PNOC, PNOC-EC, PNOC-RC, NEA, NAPOCOR, NEA, TRANSCO, PSALM), members of the media, our fellow public servants and of course our Department of Energy family, officials and employees, guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen –Isang Mapagpalayang Umaga Sa Lahat! Good morning.
For 2017, the Department of Energy (DOE) has been aggressive in many aspects. We’ve formulated essential energy plans, implemented necessary programs, and communicated these to raise awareness on energy and its proper use. We actively engage with our energy stakeholders to foster stronger cooperation to achieve all our 9-point energy agenda. These efforts continuously build confidence in the energy industry and the consumers alike.
This year we’ve constantly highlighted our objective towards energy resiliency. We’ve echoed this paradigm shift to our international counterparts during our hosting of two international events: The Asia Cooperation Dialogue and 35th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting and its Associated meetings. We’ve discussed best practices and guidelines locally and internationally to gather inputs for the finalization of our Energy Resiliency Policy in improving our energy infrastructures and facilities.
We’ve also championed this year the policy that would advance energy development in the country. President Duterte issued the Executive Order No. 30 that entails creation of an Energy Investment Coordinating Council to expedite processing of Energy Projects of National Significance.
One of the beneficiaries of the EO No. 30 is the energy resource development industry. We are currently working on a new contracting and licensing program called Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program catering to coal and petroleum developments. This new program will provide flexibility to participants, attract quality of proposals thus bringing sizeable amount of investments, and an informed and empowered host communities. Ultimately, this will pave the way in achieving our goal towards energy independence and resilience.
Likewise, the DOE has been working towards the implementation of the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulation. This will provide standardized guidelines in the accreditation, operation, maintenance of natural gas infrastructure and facilities as well as supply importation and transportation. This will also liberalize entry to the Natgas market and adherence of participants to international and Philippine health, safety, security and environment standards.
We also amended the Retail Rules for the downstream oil industry that will further safeguard the interest of the public against unscrupulous trading of petroleum products and provide regulation on emerging and expanding technologies in the retailing of liquid fuels. We are also keen on addressing safety concerns in the usage of LPG; hence we came up with the Code of Safety Practices for LPG Refilling Plant with the help of industry stakeholders.
With due regard to the environment, the DOE drafted and endorsed to DTI for issuance of our new Philippine National Standards on biodiesel blends for both automotive and industrial diesel oil. These new standards incorporate the Euro IV-Philippine grade which lowers sulfur content for cleaner emissions in accordance to the standard specifications under the Biofuels Act of 2006.
In pushing for cleaner and sustainable energy, the DOE is currently processing a total of 193 applications for RE Service Contracts as of November 2017 with a potential capacity of nearly 4,000 MW. Since RE law enactment, the RE projects now totaled to 877 or an equivalent of nearly 22,000 MW potential and nearly 5,000 MW installed capacities.
Further strengthening these efforts are DOE’s initiative to issue policies towards renewable portfolio standards and green energy option. Through the National Renewable Energy Board, we’ve done various public consultations around the country for the finalization of the two RE policies. These will not only boost RE utilization, but these will also be catalysts for sustainable development.
For the power sector, we have been rallying for the full implementation of Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) to give our consumers the power to choose their electricity suppliers. As such, I have recently signed the circulars for its immediate implementation. This is also complementary to the implementation of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in Mindanao.
We also never rest to energize our “kababayans” in off-grid areas or places. One of our concrete projects is the Nationwide Intensification of Household Electrification (NIHE), which energizes thousand far-off households using solar-powered systems. And above all, we will issue policies and guidelines on the Conduct of Performance Assessment and Audit for All Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Systems and Facilities to improve performance of these industry participants.
We are also undertaking the path towards a smart grid Philippines. We already lay the ground by initiating the policy formulation for the said new venture in the power sector. These entails advance technologies to make the delivery of our service more cost-efficient and reliable.
Aside from providing stable and secured energy supply, we are also pushing for its smart utilization. Through smart technologies, we can broaden our consumers’ choices of better options for their energy usage. Smart technologies allow households and facilities to use energy more efficiently, reduce energy losses or even provide "greener" options in generating electricity.
Few months ago, the Japanese government has donated hybrid and electric cars to promote the use of efficient and environment-friendly transportation alternatives. And in a few minutes, we will be unveiling four (4) electric vehicles and four (4) plug-in hybrid electric vehicles as well as a charging station for the technology’s research and development. On behalf of the energy family and the Filipinos, Ambasssador Koji Haneda, Arigato Gozaimasu!
Now all of these efforts will not be felt if we won’t communicate them. In July we launched the “E-Power Mo” campaign at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and mirrored this to the Visayas, Mindanao and recently in Central Luzon. The E-Power Mo is the Department of Energy’s campaign to empower and educate consumers on their options for wiser and more intelligent utilization of energy resources.
The E-Power Mo’s greater objective is to explain the various DOE programs and projects to Filipino energy consumers, by instilling the essence of energy safety, efficiency, security, resiliency and power of choice in their daily lives with the end purpose of making energy efficiency a way of life for all the Filipinos.
To my fellow public servants, I encourage you to continue working working for the people providing reliable, secure, sustainable and affordable energy. The public needs our dedication and commitment to ensure that no one is left behind and appropriately empowered to make their respective decisions on energy. Through this NECM, let us push further and let’s make things happen for the Filipino people.
Maraming salamat po!
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
