MANILA, Philippines – NANGAKO ang Department of Energy (DOE) na lilikha ng isang “enabling environment” para sa ‘investments and innovation’ para sa liquefied natural gas (LNG), kinikilala ang gamit nito bilang substitute fuel habang pinabibilis ng bansa ang green transition at magtayo ng natural gas capacity nito.
Nagtakda ang gobyerno ng isang national renewable energy (RE) power generation mix target ang 50% sa 2040 sa ilalim ng National Renewable Energy Program nito.
Sa proseso, tinitingnan nito ang LNG para magsilbi bilang cleaner transitional bridge mula sa fossil fuels sa renewable energy.
“Exploration and development of these resources including the building of necessary infrastructure will certainly take time, making it essential to have a reliable energy transition source in the meantime,” ayon kay Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla sa isang pre-recorded speech sa Stratbase forum, araw ng Martes.
“This is where LNG plays a crucial role, serving as a cleaner substitute for traditional fossil fuels and a more reliable source than renewable energy,” dagdag na wika nito.
Sa ngayon, mayroong dalawang LNG na pasilidad sa bansa, kapuwa matatagpuan sa Batangas na maaaring sumuporta sa 8,000 megawatt capacity ng natural gas plants.
Kinumpirma naman ni Lotilla na nagpalabas ang DOE ng apat na permit para magtayo at tatlong notices para tumuloy sa LNG proponents “as of May” ngayong taon.
Nagbabalangkas din ang DOE ng Natural Gas Development Plan para bigyan ang mga investors ng mga alituntunin at polisiya, legal requirements, at insentibo sa pagtatayo ng LNG facilities at iba pang infrastructure requirements.
“This journey towards energy security and sustainability, however, must be a collaborative effort,” ayon sa Kalihim.
“We call on the support of our stakeholders and partners in the private sector to assist us in creating a resilient, self-reliant, and sustainable energy future for the Philippines,” aniya pa rin.
Sumang-ayon naman si Development Academy of the Philippines President at chief executive officer Majah-Leah Ravago na maaaring gamitin ang LNG sa mahabang panahon para ibalanse ang mga pagkukulang renewable energy sources.
Tinuran pa ni Ravago na ang LNG ay maaaring makatulong para punan ang gaps o puwang habang tinutugunan ng bansa ang unti-unting nasasaid na Malampaya gas field.
“LNG has a role to play sa kakulangan ng ating electricity supply dahil nagkaroon tayo ng depletion ng Malampaya gas so that could fill the gap,” ayon kay Ravago.
Samantala, hinikayat naman ni Stratbase Institute President Dindo Manhit ang gobyerno at ang pribadong sektor na mas i-maximize ang oportunidad na makipagtulungan at simula ang LNG industry.
“Aside from the energy stability and environmental benefits, developing LNG as a stable source of power will foster more infrastructure development, technology transfer, job creation, and trade, all of which will substantially contribute to the country’s overall economic growth and prosperity,” ang pahayag ni Manhit. Kris Jose
