Understanding Energy Sources

Here’s a rundown of the available power sources in the Philippines and how they impact the environment.

You may have heard of the new energy policies being implemented to transition the Philippines to renewable energy in the coming years. But, how do they differ from other forms of energy, and what role do they play in saving the world?

The Basics

There are two broad categories for energy sources – nonrenewable and renewable.

Nonrenewable energy sources won’t last forever, as there is only a finite amount of them available. Examples of this are coal, oil, and natural gas.

Renewable energy, on the other hand, is unlimited, although storage is necessary for a steady supply of harnessed power.

Nonrenewable Energy

A majority of the power supply in the country is nonrenewable, and is divided among the following:

Coal

The top energy source in the Philippines, coal makes up the majority of the Philippine energy share. Its low cost and high availability make it an attractive, and sometimes, only option. Despite this, coal rakes in the highest pollution level among all energy sources, producing a large carbon footprint among other air pollutants, exacerbating climate change and harming the health of all living beings.

Oil

Another major national energy source, oil is used mostly for transportation, such as petroleum in gasoline, and industrial processes. Oil energy processing is notorious for its damaging spills and leaks that greatly harm marine life and emit greenhouse gases that increase global warming. Since the Philippines is dependent on imported oil, it remains vulnerable to inflation and supply shortage.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is the second largest energy share in the country, considered a cleaner fossil fuel than coal and oil. It produces fewer pollutants and greenhouse gases when burned, but its reserves are limited because they come from prehistoric fossils. Natural gas is used in the country for electricity generation and industrial applications. The primary generator of natural gas is the Malampaya gas field, which relies on costly cryogenic tanks for storage.

Renewable Energy

The Philippines is abundant in renewable energy sources, and is taking steps to transition to a sustainable future by implementing policies for renewable energy to take the majority of the country’s energy share.

Solar

As a tropical country, the Philippines has vast potential to benefit from solar energy. Solar power absorbs energy from the sun through photovoltaic cells or solar thermal systems. It is clean and renewable, producing no emissions during operation. The implementation of energy storage solutions will mitigate solar energy’s limitations to provide steady power through its dependence on sunlight.

Wind

Wind energy generates electricity by converting kinetic energy from the wind using wind turbines. In high-altitude and coastal areas, wind farms have great potential to generate large reserves of power. Similar to solar energy, wind energy is clean and renewable, but is also intermittent by nature, requiring costly energy storage and grid management.

Hydropower

Hydropower has long been used by energies such as Meralco as a significant part of the country’s energy mix. It harnesses power through flowing or falling water. Hydropower poses environmental risks, among them disruption of aquatic ecosystems and displacing local and indigenous communities, despite being a clean and renewable resource. Hydropower projects pose less risk on a smaller scale.

Geothermal

The Philippines is a top producer of geothermal energy due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Electricity is generated by geothermal power plants through heat from the earth’s core. Being reliable and consistent with minimal environmental impact, it carries great value and benefit for the Philippines and the environment.

The Philippine Power Mix

Despite the Philippines’ abundant renewable sources, it is still dependent on its nonrenewable sources, with coal taking the lion’s share of its energy grid. The government is mitigating the country’s reliance on foreign resources and tapping what is naturally available locally through ambitious policies to increase renewable energy in the Philippine energy mix. The success of these endeavors is crucial for a sustainable economic and environmental future with energy security and improved air quality.

Roadblocks

Several factors prevent the Philippines from tapping into their readily available sustainable resources. Among these are the high costs of renewable energy storage and technology, the demand for innovation in energy storage solutions, and the current infrastructure built on fossil fuels. Other barriers include regulations and policies regarding renewable energy sources, although policies are undergoing revisions to clear the path to sustainable energy.

The Verdict

Transitioning to renewable energy is crucial for the future of the nation and the environment. Although nonrenewable energy continues to dominate the Philippine power grid, fervent efforts are being made by the public and private sector to carve a path for renewable energy to reign supreme. By focusing on investments for solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal energy, we face a future with a reduced carbon footprint, energy security, and the mitigation of climate change. Although this is a huge challenge for the country, majority of the population sees this as a necessary and inevitable change that all will collaborate on to implement for our collective survival.