- MITCH M. LIPA
A non-government organization is urging the provincial government to create a body that will formulate the energy development roadmap for Negros Occidental.
Former Gov. Rafael Coscolleula, together with Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos, met with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Feb. 22 at the Capitol to discuss the state of renewable energy companies in the province.
Coscolluela said they are asking Lacson to form the energy development council that will focus on the province’s transition to renewable power options in order to maximize the potentials of available environment-friendly resources.
He added that the province has more than enough renewable power sources but the problem is the infrastructure and the system that do not allow their maximum utilization.
There are constraints that include distribution being faced by producers, as he further cited the case of solar power which is not part of the base load.
One of the issues is that renewables are not competitive compared with other energy sources and that some producers get frustrated with their investments in putting up power plants, Coscolluela said.
The group, belonging to the Center for Environment and Energy Development, explained to Lacson the need for a road map which is not being done by other provinces.
The road map will help define some issues and concerns of renewable energy producers and look for possible solutions to their concerns in order to achieve the overall goal of affordable and reliable power that are environment-friendly.
The road map will provide a direction for renewable energy producers.
Coscolluela added that the output of the council will be brought to the attention of the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission to get the support of these agencies.
The former governor also said that based on information they have gathered, the renewable producers are not only losing income but they also fail to get their return of investment.
Negros Occidental has the biggest supply of renewable energy throughout the country and yet it was not maximized.
Lacson said he is committed to create the energy development council but he asked the group to give him two weeks to decide on the composition of the group.
Lacson pointed out he will tap private sector to lead the council.
The governor is also concerned over the plight of renewable producers regarding their present problem.
Coscolluela said there are different renewable energy sources locally from solar to biomass.
He hoped for another meeting two weeks from now to begin the EDC formation. – MML
