Opening Remarks at the Philippine Renewable Energy Market System (PREMS) Launch

December 18, 2019

Enrico Gaveglia, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Philippines

Delivered by Mr. Enrico Gaveglia, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Philippines

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are very excited for the launch of the Philippine Renewable Energy Market System. UNDP is proud to be part of an instrument that will be the backbone for the implementation of the Renewables Portfolio Standards (RPS) and the Renewable Energy Market (REM) Rules pursuant to the policy objectives of the RE Act (RA 9513). The intention is to support the development, utilization and commercialization of Renewable Energy in the country.

The PREMS is an online platform originated by our work in the Development for Renewable Energy Applications Mainstreaming and Market Sustainability (DREAMS) Project, in which the Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) is our valued partner.

The PREMS development was co-implemented by Department of Energy and the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC). The supply of the hardware and software and full development of the platform was carried out by EXIST Software Lab (Contractor).

If we talk about sustainable development, we talk about “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. At the center of sustainable development there are not only “humans’ but our entire ecosystem. It indeed our intimate relationship with our planet that is here at stake, a planet that is a non-disposable asset to us all and certainly not a source of income. We, in UNDP, therefore, believe in the critical role of renewable energy solutions in mitigating climate change – and some already talk about a climate emergency – 10 years away to 2030.

I have been exposed to the concept of transitioning to renewable energies since childhood but in fact the renewable energy industry is growing at a very fast pace only recently.

Globally between year 2000 and 2016, the number of people with electricity increased from 78 to 87% and the numbers without electricity dipped to just below one billion. Yet as the population continues to grow, so will the demand for cheap energy, and an economy reliant on fossil fuels is creating drastic changes to our climate. Demographic pressure and the maturity of renewable energy market will add up to the pivotal pressure point of the human race existence in the Anthropocene era.

The important role of renewable energy in mitigating climate change/emergency and meeting national climate targets under globally agreed institutional arrangements such as the Paris Agreement – are evident to us all. The Decline of renewable energy costs, the increased interest from the private sector and a more and more aware public all create to enabling environments for scaled up investment.

UNDP role in this is to support governments to transform their renewable energy markets and identify and implement policies that catalyze investment in renewable energy technologies.

All renewable energy solutions supported by UNDP focus on integrated approaches that benefit climate and development – and can’t be otherwise if we look into the sustainability concept just expressed.

UNDP’s integrated approach means that renewable energy is a core element in other development areas, including achieving climate targets, reducing disaster risks (associated with rising temperatures), and building back better following a disaster event.

Historically, energy demand growth and economic growth in the Philippines have shared similar underlying drivers, though the precise relationship may be slowly decoupling particularly in Luzon. Nevertheless, energy demand increases are expected from growth in the industrial, commercial, and domestic sectors of each island. In addition, electrification continues; households in areas that are currently not fully grid-connected, such as parts of Mindanao and Mindoro, are likely to gain better access to electricity supply in the coming years with a target to reach 100% electrification across the Philippines by 2022.

It is therefore paramount that we respond to the call for production of renewable energy not only in the world but also in the Philippines.

Southeast Asia — and the Philippines, in particular — is at the cusp of the clean energy revolution: th alignment of political will and societal shifts are pivotal and at range to advance the region into near-zero carbon emissions. It is before our eyes the global movement campaigning for giving our planet a chance of and public opinion will soon ask in every corner of earth their civil leaders cleaner air and more sustainable energy generation practices. Business will, if not already, feel and oblige to an emerging consumer behavior and just as if not more important than governments should listen to their “client” / “people” “sons and daughters”.

UNDP remains committed to accelerate this transformation and as I congratulate for this momentous occasion I would like to take this occasion to assure you all of our continuous and steadfast support. Thank you. [E]