An official of the Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday underscored the importance of the private sector in the government’s bid to increase the share of renewable energy (RE) in the country’s energy mix.
Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara, during the Net Metering Caravan held at a hotel in Taguig City, cited the rising interest in RE as more Filipinos, both households and businesses, prefer cleaner energy.
The government aims to increase the share of RE in the country’s energy mix to around 35 percent by 2030, 50 percent by 2040, and 50 percent and more by 2050.
As of last year, the share of RE in the country’s total energy mix stood around 25 percent.
Guevarra pointed out that hitting the targets “will require more than government programs and national policies” since it “will require action at every level.”
Thus, the private sector will be a big help in achieving the targets, with the help of informed people.
“Every local government that supports renewable energy contributes to our national goals. Every business that invests in clean energy strengthens our transition. Every distribution utility and electric cooperative that facilitates net metering helps empower consumers. And every Filipino household that chooses renewable energy becomes part of the solution,” she said.
Guevara stressed that “this is the kind of energy transition that we want to build, one that is not only sustainable, but also inclusive; not only ambitious, but practical; and not only focused on how we generate electricity, but on how we improve the lives of the people we serve and, leaving the next generation with an energy system that is cleaner, more reliable, and more sustainable than the one we inherited.”
For instance, she said the DOE is pushing for more availments of the net metering program, which allows households and businesses that have solar panel facilities to sell their excess electricity to the grid to boost supply.
“Every solar panel installed on a rooftop represents more than an investment in renewable energy. It represents a household, business, institution, or community taking a step toward greater energy resilience and a more sustainable future,” she added.
Reforms
Recently, DOE issued Department Circular DC2026-08-0017 that covers two categories of own-use solar installations – the Self-Generating Facility Zero-Export Solar Systems (SGF ZESS) and the Micro-Solar Systems (MSS).
The Circular streamlines the process and lessens documents for households and institutions wanting to put up solar panels for their supply but do not want to apply for net metering.
Under the Circular, applicants for MSS will not be required to present building permits or certificates of compliance (COC) from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Instead, they will be “subject to a notification process with their distribution utility (DU).”
For those with SGF ZESS, both the COC requirement and the building permit are no longer required, with DOE noting that a building permit has already been secured before building construction. (PNA)
