Update from GVEP Philippines
In the Philippines there is a pressing need for affordable energy in small isolated communities, and there is an even greater need to stimulate livelihood schemes. The Philippines has, on an affordability basis, the second highest priced electricity in the world (after Cambodia). It has a population of just over 86 million and a GDP per capita of US$ 1,271.00; comprises over 7,000 islands with a rural population density of about 300 people/sq mile, and presents a clear challenge to a national grid supply of electricity for village use.
The existence and mission of GVEP has been a catalyst to bringing about close government/NGO cooperation in efforts towards electrification and associated livelihood development for unserved remote communities throughout the Philippines. The Philippines Department of Energy and SIBAT, a leading RE NGO, are finalizing their arrangements to work together and represent GVEP in the Philippines. One of the first key activities to be undertaken is the preparation of a specific GVEP Philippines Renewable Energy Plan. This will complement DoE national planning. There will be greater spread of fundraising effort to ensure that what is planned can actually take place, and through the plan there will be greater coordination of government, NGO and civil society efforts towards the objective of bringing electricity to all, minimizing the risk of duplication of effort, and competition for funding to carry out the same schemes. Both DoE and SIBAT see this formalisation and joint working of
Government and NGOs facilitating much greater efficiencies in efforts in the relief of poverty. GVEP Philippines will then be in a strong position to contribute to GVEP knowledge sharing through progress reports and case studies from the cooperation.
Mike Wootton - contact mawootton@gmail.com
GVEP Philippines
Full report
The Philippines has, on an affordability basis, the second highest priced electricity in the world (after Cambodia). It has a population of just over 86 million and a GDP per capita of US$ 1,271.00; comprises over 7,000 islands with a rural population density of about 300 people/sq mile, and presents a clear challenge to a national grid supply of electricity for village use.
Government has for some years been pursuing a policy of village electrification, historically satisfied by diesel fuelled generators but now the emphasis is turning increasingly to renewable sources. Some success has been achieved in attracting both overseas and domestic investment to larger renewable energy schemes, e.g., the 25MW NorthWind project in northern Luzon and the PNOC-EDC wind project in Ilocos Norte (as yet not operational). It is difficult though as we know to attract private sector investment into small renewable schemes typically producing 5 -50kW when the local people, often existing on less than US$1.00/day can ill afford to pay anything for the power, let alone commercial rates. Development aid to the Philippines is very low (US$ 400 – 500 mln per year currently) in part due to the apparently mid range GDP per capita given above which is not properly reflective of the poverty incidence (41 million people, or 48 % of the population live on less than US$2.00/day).
There is a pressing need for affordable energy in small isolated communities, there is an even greater need to stimulate livelihood schemes. Development aid is much less than is needed and government resources are limited. Foundations do contribute as does the private business sector, in fact there is a charge within the consumer electricity tariff specifically for funding rural electrification programmes.
The existence and mission of GVEP has been a catalyst to bringing about close government/NGO cooperation in efforts towards electrification and associated livelihood development for unserved remote communities throughout the Philippines. The Philippines Department of Energy and SIBAT a leading RE NGO, are finalizing their arrangements to work together and represent GVEP in the Philippines. This combination of a senior government ministry and an NGO working together will allow for effective utilization of the strengths of both parties - the DoE looking after regulatory, approval, and intra-government matters, and SIBAT acting in an executive role coordinating of NGO effort in the design and implementation of the necessary RE and livelihood schemes. Other government departments, NGOs and civil society organizations will join the “GVEP Philippines” permanent members (DoE and SIBAT) over time, thus allowing for a wide range of stakeholder input and representation
One of the first key activities to be undertaken is the preparation of a specific GVEP Philippines Renewable Energy Plan. This will complement DoE national planning. There will be greater spread of fundraising effort to ensure that what is planned can actually take place, and through the plan there will be greater coordination of government, NGO and civil society efforts towards the objective of bringing electricity to all, minimizing the risk of duplication of effort, and competition for funding to carry out the same schemes.
Both DoE and SIBAT see this formalisation and joint working of Government and NGOs facilitating much greater efficiencies in efforts in the relief of poverty. GVEP Philippines will be able to contribute to GVEP knowledge sharing through progress reports and case studies from the cooperation.