RP has highest wind energy potential in Southeast Asia, new study reveals

By Katherine Adraneda
Publication Date: [Saturday, September 23, 2006]

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/show_content.asp?article=276615

The Philippines has the highest potential for harnessing wind energy in Southeast Asia, a recent industry study on renewable energy showed.

The study, conducted by the United States-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory, says the Philippines’ wind energy potential of 70,000 megawatts can meet the country’s existing energy demands seven times over.

The report titled "Global Energy Outlook 2006" by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and Greenpeace International said one-third of the world’s electricity can be supplied using wind power, the worldwide use of which may be the key to stopping climate change.

"The report firmly places wind power as one of the world’s most important energy sources for the 21st century," Greenpeace-Southeast Asia climate and energy change campaigner Jasper Inventor said. "The Philippines has the potential to become a leading player in this field."

However, shifting to renewable energy sources like wind power "requires political will on the part of the government to set a legally binding renewable energy target in the renewable energy bill," Inventor added. "Energy policies must also overcome institutional and market biases in favor of coal and fossil fuels."

The country’s peak energy demand is almost 9,000 megawatts a day, Inventor said, adding that only one wind farm of 25 megawatts is installed in the country in Banguil, Ilocos Norte.

Inventor said that while President Arroyo recently secured a commitment from Denmark for Danish assistance in the expansion of the existing wind farm, the Philippines still has a long way to go towards effectively exploiting its substantial wind energy potential.

He added that the country is still a long way from making inroads towards the government-set target of generating just 417 megawatts by harnessing the wind within the next 10 years.

"Greenpeace is calling on the Philippine government to embrace a target that increases the share of renewables to at least 10 percent of the country’s energy needs by 2010," Inventor said. "This is a win-win option for a developing country like the Philippines, which is most vulnerable to the impact of climate change, as well as to threats from rising fossil fuel prices."

He added that less than one percent of the Philippines’ energy needs is taken from renewable resources, such as the wind, sun and biomass. The Philippines also makes use of geothermal and hydroelectric energy as well.

"The renewable energy bill being deliberated in Congress lacks definite targets, which could trigger the much-needed, massive uptake of renewable energy in the country," Inventor said.

GWEC chairman Arthouros Zervos said wind power is the most attractive solution to the world’s energy challenges, as it is clean and fuel-free.

Zervos also said wind power is indigenous and that wind technology is not a dream for the future: "Enough wind blows across the globe to cope with the ever-increasing electricity demand. This report demonstrates that wind technology is not a dream for the future — it is real, it is mature and it can be deployed on a large scale."

Inventor said wind power will significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which is vital in the fight against climate change. Harnessing wind power will also address other challenges faced by developing countries like the Philippines, such as security of energy supplies and the increasing volatility of fossil fuel prices in the world market.