Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla yesterday said it is time to shift to hybrid sources of energy to end the country’s overdependence on petroleum-based fuels.
Lotilla made the remark during the Senate committee on energy organizational meeting to find solutions to the recurring power shortage and high electricity rates in several areas of the country.
He said going hybrid is the long-term solution to the country’s energy woes.
“We must end this overdependence on petroleum and petroleum-based fuels because otherwise we will experience the volatilities in prices and therefore, it means we would have to invest in solar, in wind and as you mentioned, even newer technologies,” Lotilla said.
He said hybrid sources of energy such as the ocean, thermal, hydrogen and offshore wind can be considered — an initiative that could be started right now as it is not to happen in an instant.
“So time is not on our side but to be able to do this, we need certain reforms,” he added.
He said he will discuss the reforms in the energy sector with Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman who are both board members of the National Power Corp. and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.
Lotilla added the government is also looking at reviewing the Electric Power Industry Reform Act to reform the electric cooperatives system, strengthening the processes in the Energy Regulatory Commission and promoting competition in the energy sector.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo, committee on energy chairman, said the country should find ways to lessen the price of electricity “by finding solutions equitable to both the consumer and producer.”
He noted the need to ease the investment into the energy industry amid the depletion of the country’s current largest natural gas source.
“We must see to it that our government regulatory framework is streamlined and responsive to the needs of the people and put an end to abusive and self-centered practices,” Tulfo added.
Tulfo said he is looking forward to working with the members of the Senate energy committee to address the pressing issues hounding the energy sector.
He earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 107 which seeks an inquiry on the persistent and recurring power outages in the different parts of the country and address the rising cost of electricity amid the shortage in supply.
He intends to set at least two more meetings to further discuss issues in the energy sector.
Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian pointed out that the country had around 22 red alerts and 154 yellow alerts in the past six years and asked the Department of Energy’s outlook for the next six to 12 months.
Lotilla said at present, the country has enough reserves as long as there will be no major breakdowns of power plants.
“But for the summer months, I have to tell you that I’m beginning to have concerns about that and we will do our best precisely to address stranded power out there,” Lotilla said.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, for his part, urged Lotilla to look into the energy problems in Mindanao in the wake of several complaints from consumers.
“I hope you can help our townmates in Mindanao who lost their power because they could not meet the high cost of energy. Perhaps you can restore their electricity and bring down the cost,” dela Rosa said.
Lotilla said the agency will do everything it can to help ease the energy problems in Mindanao and the rest of the country.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros also recommended to the committee to summon independent power producers and government agencies to look into the power shortage in Oriental Mindoro.
Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative serves the franchise area of the province which has been the subject of complaints as consumers often experience power outage.
