President Benigno Aquino of the Philippines has noticed that there are many power shortages across the country and realizes that it's time to look toward renewable energy, such as solar.
Philstar News reports that by 2030 the Philippines will join the many other countries using renewable resources as power sources. He says that this will help rebuild the nation:
"He added that through renewable energy, the government can supply the electricity needs of the people at a lower cost and not at the expense of the environment.
With the NREP in place, the government hopes to achieve the " twin goals of harnessing our renewable energy potential while ensuring that our people's energy needs are met," Aquino said.
"With this in mind, the plan is to nearly triple our renewable energy-based capacity from around 5,400 megawatts in 2010 to 15, 300 megawatts in 2030," Aquino said."
ABS-CBN news interviews Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug:
" "We're hoping renewable energy will account for at least 50% of our energy mix by 2030," Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug told reporters on Tuesday.
"Within this month we will award between 40 and 80 contracts, mostly for hydro. There will be a few (contracts for) wind and some solar," Layug said
The Southeast Asian country's new renewable energy target is more ambitious than a goal, announced last December, to double renewable energy output in 20 years.
The Philippines imports most of its oil needs at present. High oil prices have pushed inflation up this year, and were a factor in the central bank's decision to increase interest rates in March and May.
"(Renewable energy resources) are expensive now because of the emerging technology, but in the long term we see that the price will start coming down, making it cheaper than (traditional sources)," Layug said."
This is great! The whole world needs to realize solar energy is the way to go!
