New Tech Innovations Essential for Philippines’ Energy Security

Sen. Sherwin Gatchailan says the energy security of the nation is dependent on speeding up its transition to clean energy, made possible with the adoption of new technologies such as battery storage systems and new-generation nuclear power plants.

Gatchalian impresses that new technologies are crucial for the future amid the ever-rising demand for electricity and increased risk to the environment.

The senator says, “We have to look at emerging technologies such as batteries and other energy storage systems. We’re also in the midst of filing a bill to promote energy storage which includes batteries. No matter how controversial, we should also look at new technologies for nuclear power such as smaller modular reactors and generation IV nuclear reactors.”

“Although this needs a little more time, we have to look at these emerging technologies since we also have no law or any single regulation on these. We can come up with a corresponding legislation,” he added.

Gatchalian states that although 50% of the country is already self-supporting in energy supply, our coal requirements for the electricity demand is 100% imported, while our natural gas sources are depleting.

To make matters more earnest, electricity demand in the Philippines rises at an average of 6.53% per year, with our rapid economic growth seen to expedite things further. An estimate of 66,937 megawatts of additional power supply is needed as the country’s emerging economy continues to grow.

“Because we import a huge chunk of fuel for our electricity supply, any disruption overseas such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, usually impacts the electricity, fuel cost and livelihood of our poorest folks. This is why we need to continually look for all possible ways to improve energy security and supply of electricity in our country,” adds Gatchalian.

Senator Gatchalian has taken several initiatives for long-term energy security. He is behind Senate Bill (SB) 152, a proposal for the Midstream Natural Gas Development Act to open third-party access to liquefied natural gas terminals and transmission pipelines.

He followed with SB 151, a proposal for Waste-to-Energy Act that aims to legislate a two-way sustainable energy generation and waste disposal system. Next was SB 485, petitioning to remove the 100-kilowatt cap for solar panel-generated energy distribution.

Removing this limitation will allow large businesses to benefit from the efficiency of renewable energy while conserving the environment and reducing their carbon footprint.

Lastly, Gatchalian’s SB 157 proposes the Energy Transition Act, leading to the creation of the Energy Transition Plan to reach a target of net zero emissions by 2050 and the weaning of the nation’s dependence on imported energy sources.

Source: ‘Philippines must adapt new tech for energy security’