ILOILO CITY – The Department of Energy (DOE) has noted that Western Visayas only has a 28 percent of renewable energy utilization rate since 2021.
THE Regional Development Council (RDC)-6 holds an Investment Forum on Renewable Energy in Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)
Based on the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) target, DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said that Western Visayas should have at least a 35 percent renewable energy utilization rate by the year 2030.
“If possible, 50 percent renewable energy by 2040,” Guevara told members of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-6 during the Investment Forum on Renewable Energy here on Wednesday, June 28.
Guevara admitted that transitioning to renewable energy is a slow process due to certain factors such as the power generated depending on natural conditions and transmission lines that have to be upgraded and installation of cable wires that takes time anywhere from three to five years.
The biggest challenge is the regulatory process in local governments and national government agencies, she said.
There are currently 68 renewable energy projects across Western Visayas.
DOE division chief Gaspar Escobar Jr. said that only 29 are currently operating while the others are still under construction.
At present, 708 megawatts of renewable energy are being generated.
Escobar said that when the 39 other projects are finished, these can generate around 14,245 megawatts.