Sustainable Development Goal 7 envisions access to affordable, clean energy for all. For the Philippines, among the paths towards this SDG is the National RE Program 2020-2040, which outlines the roadmap towards a 35% renewable energy share of the country’s power generation mix by 2030. These goals are global and national in scale and ambition, and yet among its most vital movers and champions are in the regions, provinces, and communities.

We met such champions in Western Visayas during the Regional Development Council VI (RDC VI) for Renewable Energy (RE) 2022 and Beyond: Empowering Local Government Units (LGUs) to Harness Renewable Energy Resources and Solutions for Recovery and Growth Conference Workshop* The event was held last 7-8 April 2022 at Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo and online via Zoom and Facebook Live.

The gathering of 187 participants from Western Visayas electric cooperatives/ distribution utilities, local government units, RDC VI executives, private sector, renewable energy suppliers/ providers, research institutions and national government agencies proved that local level champions had a vital role in understanding and achieving our global and national goals. We share three reflections here.

Inter-Agency Alignment and Cooperation for RE

With the numerous entities with their own mandates and constraints involved in local RE development, lack of alignment are barriers, and sometimes dead ends, to local RE development. Platforms to make alignment happen may be vital.

Developing generation facilities involve regulators and public institutions aside from the DOE. For one, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) require permits and environmental impact assessments, especially projects and RE resources near or in protected areas. Many LGUs shared challenges in pursuing RE projects that have difficulty securing appropriate DENR permits, despite RE’s benefits to their locality’s environment and economic development.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which develops irrigation systems, may also be involved in developing LGU micro-hydro projects. There is high interest for hydro projects with irrigation components among Region 6 LGUs, but there is uncertainty on NIA’s role in the development, operations, and management if said irrigation component.

There is also Distribution Utilities (DUs). Recognized for its role in transmission, DUs are also vital in RE generation development. Many DUs have or want to pursue their own RE generation facilities. However, Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) lamented the challenge of financing capital expenditures. They share that electric cooperatives (ECs) do not integrate such costs in tariff structures. CENECO has also been perceived as risky to investors as EC franchises may end well before RE facilities’ decade-long lifespans and equally long-term power supply agreements.

Capacity Building for LGUs

Having policies for decentralization to local governments may not necessarily translate to local renewable energy development. LGUs are eager to take on the challenge but wonder how to start. Many of LGUs who participated in the workshop do not have an energy sector code and have indicated a lack of knowledge regarding energy sector policies as the main reason. Only two LGUs among those present have issued an ordinance adopting the guidelines to facilitate the implementation of energy projects.