The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) will not be revised this year, despite ongoing efforts to advance energy development and enhance security and reliability.

On the sidelines of PhilEnergy Expo 2025, Michael Sinocruz, director of the DOE’s energy policy planning bureau, stated that the current energy targets will remain unchanged.

“We’re supposed to update [the PEP] annually, but given the current energy situation, we don’t see a need for yearly revisions,” he told reporters on Wednesday, March 19.

“The targets will remain… Maybe [we’ll add more on] the strategies, measures for us to achieve the targets,” Sinocruz added.

The DOE describes the PEP 2023-2040 as a comprehensive energy blueprint that integrates renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency and conservation (EEC) programs.

It includes provisions for foreign-based projects, the resumption of indigenous oil and gas exploration, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen exploration, and the establishment of strategic petroleum reserves.

Key targets under the PEP include increasing the RE share in the power generation mix to 30 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040, importing LNG, increasing biofuel blends like biodiesel and bioethanol, and integrating electric vehicles (EVs) into road transport.

The DOE also anticipates a 12 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through its clean energy scenario, while expecting increased natural gas consumption.

“It’s difficult to keep changing the targets. You need to work on the target set under the PEP. That’s our direction right now. Specifically, we want to meet the targets under the reference scenario, which is a 50 percent [RE] share by 2040,” Sinocruz explained.

“Achieving more than 50 percent will occur beyond 2040 under the clean energy scenario. We’ve set an ambitious target… But our primary focus is meeting the reference scenario,” he added.

The PEP is also designed to guide the private sector in adopting energy efficiency practices to promote sustainable power and mitigate climate change risks.

Energy efficiency at the household level

As the annual Earth Hour approaches, the Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2) encourages public participation in the movement.

Earth Hour is a global event that encourages communities to turn off their lights for one hour to conserve energy and raise climate change awareness.

Alexander Ablaza, president of PE2, believes this practice can influence consumer behavior beyond a single event. “When emotions are engaged, behavior changes. It’s not just a mental exercise, but a way to effect behavioral change… The psychological and emotional impact of foregoing light and power has a real energy impact,” he said.

He also emphasized the impact of reducing energy consumption, even for just one hour, noting its direct correlation to minimizing short-term power demand.