Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairman Leo Tereso Magno bared during the Mindanao Development Forum last week that with the help of the Mindanao Energy Plan 2018-2040, the island will achieve reliable and sustainable power by 2030.
The Mindanao Energy Plan 2018-2040 aims for 100% electrification and a diversified energy mix for Mindanao.
Secretary Magno said that by 2030, the plans envision achieving a reliable, reasonably priced, and sustainable power, with a target of reaching a 50% renewable energy mix for the island.
Magno added that they have established a comprehensive framework for economic development and environmental stewardship based on four key pillars: climate change mitigation, community empowerment, nature-based industry solutions, and sustainable management of food, water, and energy resources.
“The framework aligns with the global carbon credit markets, further enhancing our environmental impact,” he said.
Magno cited their efforts that yielded significant business cases for replication and scaling up: the Renewable Energy (RE) Technology for seaweeds project in Tawi Tawi; the solar-powered irrigation and water supply systems in Taraka, Lanao del Sur; and the integration of productive uses of renewable energy and sustainable energization (I-PURE) projects spans multiple sites across Mindanao, including Picong in Lanao del Sur, Tulunan and Arakan in the Province of Cotabato, and various locations in Sultan Kudarat and Tawi-Tawi.
“Mindanao is leading the way in this critical mission for advancing the transition to renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and hydropower, in relation to protecting water and food, which are crucial to our sustainability,” he said.
Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Undersecretary of the Department of Energy (DOE), supervising the Renewable Energy Management Bureau and Electric Power Industry Management Bureau, said that RE is crucial for the Philippines in addressing the challenges of climate change and economic development, among others.
“As an archipelago vulnerable to climate change disasters, the Philippines has a pressing need to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.
Guevara also said that transitioning to RE sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal can reduce dependency on fossil fuels, decreasing carbon footprints and fostering energy security.
