Media Coverage Report

EuropeAid/136650/DH/SER/PH

4th EU-Philippines Meeting on Energy and Launch of the Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP) on October 7, 2016 Media Coverage Report

Contents Background ...... 3 Summary and Review of Media Coverage ...... 4 Monitored Media Releases ...... 5 Compilation of Media Releases ...... 7 1. GMA News Online, 7 October 2016 ...... 7 2. Philippine Star newspaper, 8 October 2016 ...... 9 3. Philstar Global, 8 October 2016 ...... 10 4. Intellasia.net, 10 October 2016 ...... 13 5. BusinessWorld Online, 8 October 2016 ...... 16 6. BusinessWorld newspaper, 10 October 2016 ...... 16 7. The Daily Tribune newspaper, 8 October 2016 ...... 18 8. The Daily Tribune online, 8 October 2016 ...... 18 9. Manila Bulletin newspaper, 9 October 2016 ...... 20 10. Manila Bulletin online, 9 October 2016 ...... 20 11. Manila Bulletin newspaper, 9 October 2016 ...... 21 12. Manila Bulletin online, 9 October 2016; updated 24 October 2016 ...... 21 13. ENER.GIST, 10 October 2016...... 21 14. BusinessWorld newspaper, 10 October 2016 ...... 24 15. BusinessWorld online, 10 October 2016 ...... 24 16. Aksyon TV 5 (Action TV 5), 10 October 2016 ...... 25 17. News 5.com.ph, 10 October 2016 ...... 25 18. Malaya, 11 October 2016 ...... 28 19. Malaya online, 11 October 2016 ...... 28 20. BusinessWorld Online, 1 November 2016 ...... 29 21. BusinessWorld newspaper, 2 November 2016 ...... 29

Background

The European Union - Philippines Meeting on Energy is a high-level forum for exchange on latest topics and trends in the energy sector, hosted by the Energy Secretary of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ambassador of the European Union to the Philippines. Since 2012, the meeting has set the stage for a public energy sector dialogue between the European Union (EU) and Philippine policy-makers, administrators, private sector and civil society. The event held on October 7, 2016 at the Makati Shangri-La, focused on how we can ensure “Electricity for a Better Life”. It was the fourth annual meeting since 2012.

The Meeting also officially launched the new “Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP)”. Through ASEP, the EU has allocated a grant of over 3 billion pesos (EUR 60 million) to assist the Government of the Philippines to meet its rural electrification targets by means of renewable energy, and to promote energy efficiency. As a focal sector for EU development cooperation with the Philippines, the EU has earmarked a total of EUR 190 million out of an overall cooperation budget of EUR 325 million to the energy sector for the period 2014-2020.

To disseminate to the public the cooperation efforts of the EU with the Philippine government, and how the energy sector can benefit from EU assistance through the ASEP, a Press Conference was held during the event. It was covered by 17 representatives from 11 media organizations. The press conference was spearheaded by EU Ambassador Franz Jessen, together with Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella of the Department of Energy, Prof. Dr. Christoph Menke of ASEP, and Ambassador Jan Top Christensen of the Royal Danish Embassy in Manila.

Summary and Review of Media Coverage

The media exposures from the 4th EU-Philippines Meeting on Energy and Launch of ASEP, as well as the press conference, enhanced the visibility, awareness and public perception of the EU as an active development partner of the Philippine Government in the energy sector. Specifically, the media portrayed the EU as a committed supporter of the Philippines in its electrification goals, despite the tirades the EU has received from President Duterte. EU Ambassador Franz Jessen was quoted in almost all media releases, as he affirmed the continued financial assistance of the EU for the country under the Duterte administration.

The media also created public awareness on the Access to Sustainable Energy Programme or ASEP. The programme was presented in the media as a cooperation between the EU and the Philippine Department of Energy. All media releases (online, print and TV) directly mentioned the multi-billion pesos funding assistance of the EU to the Philippines through the ASEP.

There was a total of 21 media exposures on the EU’s support and ASEP from October 7 to November 2, 2016. From these Total Number of total media exposures: 12 were from online media which Media Exposures 21 provided global reach; 8 were from newspapers with Online 12 national reach, and 1 was a TV news coverage on Aksyon Print (Newspaper) 8 News 5 with national reach. The releases that appeared in TV 1 the newspapers were also uploaded in the online edition of the newspapers.

Notable among these media releases in terms of EU and ASEP visibility was the banner headline news story on the front page of the Philippine Star entitled, “EU, UN won’t stop Phl aid.” This news article appeared on October 8, 2016, a day after the event.

Another notable media release was the video news telecast on Aksyon News 5 entitled, “European Union Tumutulong Pa Rin Sa Pilipinas Sa Kabila Ng Mga Batikos ni Pres. Duterte” (EU Still Helps the Philippines Despite President Duterte’s Tirades). It was aired last October 10, 2016 with a duration of 3:49 minutes. The video showed footages of the ASEP Launch; the support of the Philippine Senate represented by Senator Loren Legarda and excerpts of her keynote address; and the statements made by EU Ambassador Franz Jessen, DOE Undersecretary Fuentebella and ASEP Advisor Christoph Menke during the press conference. This video news coverage can also be viewed online at: http://news5.com.ph/videos/FADA3F923CB5438/european-union-tumutulong-pa-rin-sa-pilipinas-sa- kabila-ng-mga-batikos-ni-pres-duterte.

The media mileage gained by the EU support through ASEP shall indeed help pave the way for acceptance and cooperation with the Philippine government, particularly from among the various stakeholders of the programme.

Monitored Media Releases

Monitored Media Releases on the 4th EU-Philippines Meeting on Energy, and ASEP Launch

No. Title Source Date Media Type Reach 1 Despite Duterte’s Tirades GMA News Online 7 Oct. online global EU still keen on supporting 2016 PHL development programs 2 EU, UN won’t stop Phl aid Philippine Star 8 Oct. newspaper national 2016 3 EU, UN won’t stop Philstar Global 8 Oct. online global Philippines aid www. philstar.com 2016 4 EU, UN won’t stop Intellasia.net 10 Oct. online global Philippines aid 2016 5 EU launches P6-B program BusinessWorld Online 8 Oct. online global for PHL energy programs www.businessworldonline.com 2016 6 EU launches P6-B program Business World newspaper national for PHL energy programs 7 Don’t criticize, just help The Daily Tribune 8 Oct. newspaper national Du30 on drug war, US, 2016 foreign donors told 8 Don’t criticize, just help The Daily Tribune 8 Oct. online global Du30 on drug war, US, www.tribune.net.ph 2016 foreign donors told 9 Energy sector poised to Manila Bulletin 9 Oct. newspaper national receive P9-billion 2016 financing from EU 10 Energy sector poised to Manila Bulletin 9 Oct. online global receive P9-billion www.mb.com.ph 2016 financing from EU 11 Rural electrification gets Manila Bulletin 9 Oct. newspaper national boost 2016 12 Rural electrification Manila Bulletin 9 Oct. online global program gets boost www.mb.com.ph 2016 13 Rural electrification Ener.gist 10 Oct. online global program gets boost 2016 14 FiT, LNG project BusinessWorld Online 10 Oct. online global considered for funding by www.businessworldonline.com 2016 EU

15 FiT, LNG project Business World 10 Oct. online global considered for funding by 2016 EU

16 European Union Aksyon TV 5 10 Oct. TV News national Tumutulong Pa Rin Sa (Action TV) 2016 (3:49 mins Pilipinas Sa Kabila Ng Mga video) Batikos ni Pres. Duterte (EU still helps the Philippines despite Pres. Duterte’s tirades) 17 (Same as above) http://news5.com.ph 10 Oct. online global 2016

18 EU allots P9B for PH clean Malaya 11 Oct. newspaper national power for poor 2016 19 EU allots P9B for PH clean Malaya 11 Oct. online global power for poor www.malaya.com.ph 2016 20 New funding to relieve BusinessWorld Online 1 Nov. online global consumers of FIT burden www.businessworldonline.com 2016 21 New funding to relieve Business World 2 Nov. newspaper national consumers of FIT burden 2016

Compilation of Media Releases

1. GMA News Online, 7 October 2016

IM READ Y PUBLIC SERVIC ◀E

5 MONEY Filtered By: Money

DESPITE DUTERTE'S TIRADES 0

EU still keen on supporting PHL 1 development programs Published October 7, 2016 12:44pm By TED CORDERO, GMA News 0 Updated October 7, 2016 4:23pm

Despite the latest tirade of President Rodrigo Duterte against the United States and the European Union (EU), the envoy of the European delegation to the Philippines said that the country still needs support from Europe.

"I think there is still a need for development assistance in the Philippines and we work hand•in•hand with the government," EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said in a press conference on Friday.

His statement came a day after Duterte – in a his speech in Butuan City on Thursday – dared the EU, US, and the United Nations to withdraw financial aid for the country.

"My impression is the Philippines is still welcoming our development assistance," Jessen noted.

The Philippines and EU "share many objectives, moving forward, on issues of climate change, sustainable energy, the pro•poor agenda," according to the ambassador.

"The EU is side•by•side with the Philippines in these different efforts," he said.

Jessen also said the EU has launched its energy development assistance program for the country.

To support the government's target of achieving total electrification, the EU has set aside a P3•billion grant for the Access to Sustainable Energy Program (ASEP), according to a separate statement from the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines. ASEP is a joint undertaking of the EU and the Department of Energy (DOE).

The program aims to provide clean energy solutions to 100,000 households or roughly 500,000 people, add 20 megawatts of additional renewable energy project, and improve energy efficiency and generate savings greenhouse gas emissions.

"In ASEP, we are targeting the some of the poorest segments in the Philippines and try to reach out directly to them with electrification," Jessen noted. "The financing agreement will run in three to four years depending on how fast the money will be spent in getting in to the communities that are in need," he added.

The envoy took note there is a chance of replenishing the ASEP funding.

"We do have a chance to replenish the fund. We did have some flexibility in our development cooperation program and it depends how the needs in the Philippines or the objectives of the government are developed over time," Jessen said. — VDS, GMA News

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2. Philippine Star newspaper, 8 October 2016

Banner Headline: “EU, UN won’t stop Phl aid”

3. Philstar Global, 8 October 2016

Headline: “EU, UN won’t stop Philippines aid”

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/10/08/1631480/eu-un-wont-stop- philippines-aid

(please refer to online article on succeeding page)

and other low carbon development, ASEP consultant Christoph Menke said in the briefing. “More than technology, we need business models and the right policies administration. This is exactly where the project can work Don't Invest in Solar with the government and a lot of people committed in different agencies to work on,” he said. The DOE, for its part, is pitching for greater use of information technology in the wires•related business of the energy sector, DOE undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said. “What the Department of Energy is looking at in the future is how to be more flexible and how to gather more information at the right time. We are all looking at the smart grid technology and, as I have emphasized, we are looking at how to further develop wires and have convergence on ICT,” he said. The DOE is also looking at using the grant for paying Feed•in Tariff (FIT) – a set of incentives given to power developers for investing in the more expensive renewables sector – instead of passing the burden to consumers. “So we brought up FIT, how we can remove the passon charge to consumers,” Fuentebella said. UN commitment stays Meanwhile, UN resident coordinator and UN Development Program resident representative in the Philippines Ola Almgren said relations between the world body and Manila remain undamaged. “We need to look at the broader aspect of the Philippines’ role in the UN and the work that we do here to judge that. I remain firm in my belief that that relationship will continue in as good a level as it has been in the past,” Almgren told The STAR. He stressed there is no way the UN would stop giving aid to the Philippines. As this developed, Duterte asked US President Barack Obama to let the US ambassador to the UN file a complaint against him for human rights violations. “When the European Union and the US reprimand it was as if I was their (house) boy. I am not your servant,” Duterte said yesterday in his speech at the National Banana Congress in Lanang, Davao City. Almgren expressed confidence “the partnership between the UN and the Philippines will remain strong as it has been as we go forward.” He cited a memorandum of understanding signed by the UNDP, the Board of Investments and local business groups for the conduct of a nationwide baseline survey on inclusive business among Philippine firms. “The Philippines is a memberstate of the UN since the very beginning. It’s a question of what has been the contribution of the Philippines to the UN and that contribution has been fantastic ever since the beginning of the UN and even in recent years,” Almgren pointed out. Duterte has been unleashing harsh remarks against the UN, the EU and the US for their calling his attention to the rising death toll and human rights abuses in the conduct of his intensified campaign against illegal drugs and criminality. The President in August threatened to withdraw the Philippines from the UN – a statement he later clarified was only a joke. On Duterte’s latest tirade against the US and the EU, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the President is merely saying “we have a reform policy, we have our own problems, internal problems in the country, so instead of criticizing us, help us. If you are really our friend, help us.” He stressed the President “knows what he is saying and the President is standing for the right of every Filipino, independent foreign policy and about opening our doors to other countries also if they want to – who may want to work with the Philippines in mutually beneficial ways.” – Christina Mendez, Giovanni Nilles

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4. Intellasia.net, 10 October 2016

Headline: “EU, UN won’t stop Philippines aid”

http://www.intellasia.net/eu-un-wont-stop-philippines-aid-546225

(please refer to online article on succeeding page)

Con’t. - Intellasia

“When the European Union and the US reprimand it was as if I was their (house) boy. I am not your servant,” Duterte said yesterday in his speech at the National Banana Congress in Lanang, Davao City. Almgren expressed confidence “the partnership between the UN and the Philippines will remain strong as it has been as we go forward.”

He cited a memorandum of understanding signed by the UNDP, the Board of Investments and local business groups for the conduct of a nationwide baseline survey on inclusive business among Philippine firms.

“The Philippines is a memberstate of the UN since the very beginning. It’s a question of what has been the contribution of the Philippines to the UN and that contribution has been fantastic ever since the beginning of the UN and even in recent years,” Almgren pointed out.

Duterte has been unleashing harsh remarks against the UN, the EU and the US for their calling his attention to the rising death toll and human rights abuses in the conduct of his intensified campaign against illegal drugs and criminality. The President in August threatened to withdraw the Philippines from the UN – a statement he later clarified was only a joke.

On Duterte’s latest tirade against the US and the EU, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the President is merely saying “we have a reform policy, we have our own problems, internal problems in the country, so instead of criticising us, help us. If you are really our friend, help us.”

He stressed the President “knows what he is saying and the President is standing for the right of every Filipino, independent foreign policy and about opening our doors to other countries also if they want to – who may want to work with the Philippines in mutually beneficial ways.” http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/10/08/1631480/eu•un•wont•stop•philippines•aid

No related articles

Category: Philippines

5. BusinessWorld Online, 8 October 2016

Headline: “EU launches P6-B program for PHL energy programs” http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=eu-launches- p6-b-program-for-phl-energy-programs&id=134550

6. BusinessWorld newspaper, 10 October 2016

Headline: “EU launches P6-B program for PHL energy programs”

Economy

EU launches P6•B program for PHL energy programs

THE European Union (EU) has P6 billion waiting to be tapped by proponents of energy projects in the Philippines, with the possibility of replenishing the allocation depending on how the money is spent, the EU ambassador to the Philippines said on Friday. “We have some flexibility in our development cooperation program,” said Franz Jessen, who heads the EU delegation to the country, on the sidelines of the fourth EU•Philippine energy meeting at the Makati Shangri•La hotel.

“It depends very much on how the needs in the Philippines develop and how the objectives of the government develop over time,” he told reporters.

The budget may be allocated to what EU called Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP), for which it budgeted P3 billion last year to support the Department of Energy’s (DoE) electrification target.

ASEP aims to assist the Philippines in expanding its energy generation to meet growing demand and to provide the poor greater access to electricity. The program was launched on Friday.

“It’s going to run for three to four years ... It depends on how the money is being spent and given to the community,” Mr. Jessen said. “We have a technical team that will be implementing it.”

The budget may well be the first EU grant announced after President Rodrigo R. Duterte earlier this week challenged the EU to withdraw its aid to the country.

“My impression is the Philippines is still welcoming our development assistance and there is still a need for the support from Europe,” Mr. Jessen said.

“I think there is a need for development assistance in the Philippines and we work hand in hand with the government,” he said. “We have identified the different objectives and the targets that we are setting together with the different departments.”

Christoph Menke, ASEP strategic adviser, said the program serves as one of the avenues to channel the P6 billion, which he said may be given as budget support, grant for acquiring technology, technical assistance or a guarantee fund to take risks.

“This team is currently looking which avenues can be used best [for] this other 120 million euros [P6 billion] ... in the next years,” he said, adding the the allocation “is not clear yet.” “It could be an extension or a duplication of ASEP,” he said.

But he said the government should first show that ASEP was delivering, although he said he was optimistic that the current DoE leadership has a “clear focus” and had given its assurance of speeding up the delivery of energy projects.

Asked what the EU is getting in return for the program, Mr. Menke described it as a “diplomatic cooperation.”

“Why is the EU investing money in the Philippines? It’s part of foreign policy. It’s building and supporting nations,” he said. “We would like to have close cooperations so that when there [are] problems, we can work together.”

He said the use of the funds would be assessed permanently and would start once the first disbursement, say, for a solar home systems, takes place. He added that by September or October next year, there should be a decision on whether the new funding would be channeled for ASEP or whether additional funds would be needed.

The EU said last year’s ASEP program aims to provide clean energy solutions to 100,000 households or around 500,000 people; add 20 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy projects; and improve energy efficiency and generate savings of greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to a 50•MW power plant. The EU will call for project proposals in four to six weeks.

Sought for comment, DoE Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella said the department was looking at business models that could be accepted for the funding assistance. •• Victor V. Saulon

7. The Daily Tribune newspaper, 8 October 2016

8. The Daily Tribune online, 8 October 2016

Headline: “Don’t Criticize, Just Help DU30 On Drug War, US, Foreign Donors Told”

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/don-t-criticize-just-help-du30-on-drug-war- us-foreign-donors-told

(please refer to online article on succeeding page)

9. Manila Bulletin newspaper, 9 October 2016 Headline: “Energy sector poised to receive P9-billion financing from EU”

10. Manila Bulletin online, 9 October 2016 www.mb.com.ph Headline: “Energy sector poised to receive P9-billion financing from EU”

11. Manila Bulletin newspaper, 9 October 2016 Headline: “Rural electrification program gets boost”

12. Manila Bulletin online, 9 October 2016; updated 24 October 2016 www.mb.com.ph Headline: “Rural electrification program gets boost”

http://news.mb.com.ph/2016/10/09/rural-electrification-program-gets-boost/

13. ENER.GIST, 10 October 2016 www.doe.gov.ph (DOE ENER.GIST is a collection of energy-related news and journal articles from broadsheet newspapers and technical and scientific journals)

Headline: “Rural electrification program gets boost” * reprinted from Manila Bulletin newspaper, 9 Oct. 2016

(please refer to online articles on succeeding page)

14. BusinessWorld newspaper, 10 October 2016 Headline: “FiT, LNG project considered for funding by EU”

15. BusinessWorld online, 10 October 2016 Headline: “FiT, LNG project considered for funding by EU”

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=fit-lng-project- considered-for-funding-by-eu&id=134597

16. Aksyon TV 5 (Action TV 5), 10 October 2016

Headline : “European Union Tumutulong Pa Rin Sa Pilipinas Sa Kabila Ng Mga Batikos ni Pres. Duterte” Translation: EU still helps the Philippines despite President Duterte’s tirades (3:49 minutes TV news video) 17. News 5.com.ph, 10 October 2016

http://news5.com.ph/videos/FADA3F923CB5438/european-union-tumutulong-pa-rin-sa-pilipinas- sa-kabila-ng-mga-batikos-ni-pres-duterte

Transcription and translation of News Coverage on #16 and #17: Headline: European Union, Tumutulong Pa Rin Sa Pilipinas Sa Kabila Ng Mga Batikos Ni Pres. Duterte (EU Still Helps the Philippines Despite Pres. Duterte’s Tirades) News Anchor: Cheryl Cosim; report filed by Michelle Orosa-Ople News Anchor: Tuloy pa rin ang pagbibigay ng tulong sa Pilipinas ng European Union or EU sa kabila ng pagbabatikos sa kanila ng Pangulong Duterte. Kabilang sa proyekto ng EU ang pagbibigay ng pailaw sa mga lugar na walang kuryete. Nasa gitna ng aksyon si Michelle Orosa-Ople.

(The European Union or EU continues to give assistance to the Philippines despite the tirades of President Duterte. One of the projects of EU is the provision of lighting to areas without electricity. In the middle of the action is Michelle Orosa-Ople.)

Intro footage of President Duterte: “EU, you are too far away for me to worry. You have been threatening to cut aid and everything. Who do you think you are? Without your aid, fine! We will survive!”

Reporter: Sa kabila ng mga maaanghang na pananalita ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte laban sa European Union, tuloy pa rin ito sa pagbibigay ng tulong sa Pilipinas. Kabilang nito ang three billion pesos na Access to Sustainable Energy Programme o ASEP na ibinahagi nito sa bansa para sa pagpapailaw ng mga mahihirap at malalayong probinsya at isla sa bansa.

(Despite the tirades of President Rodrigo Duterte against the European Union, it still continues to provide

25 assistance to the Philippines. Part of its assistance is the three billion pesos support for the Access to Sustainable Energy Programme or ASEP to light up poor and remote provinces and islands in the country.)

EU Ambassador Franz Jessen: “There is a need for development assistance in the Philippines. And we work hand in hand with the government, and we have identified the different objectives and targets that we are setting with together with the different departments. My impression is that the Philippines is still welcoming our development assistance, and there is still a need for the support from Europe.”

Reporter: Ito ang unang bugso ng potensyal na tulong pa ng European Union para isulong ang rural elecrification ng bansa. Kasama sa first tranche ang technical assistance at capacity building para sa mga makabagong teknolohiya sa renewable energy, investment support mula sa World Bank at ilang proyekto na pro-poor at climate-resilient tulad ng pagbibigay kuryente sa may apat na pung libong kabahayan sa mga rural areas sa pamamagitan ng solar home system.

(This is the first downpour of potential assistance from the European Union to push forward the rural electrification in the country. Included in the first tranche is the technical assistance and capacity building for new technologies in renewable energy, investment support from the World Bank, and a number of pro-poor and climate-resilient projects like the provision of electricity to 40,000 households in the rural areas through the solar home system.)

Prof. Menke: “It’s exactly the right time. This ASEP program is lucky. You can benefit from the technologies changing which are happening worldwide; exactly to benefit the challenge we do have here in the Philippines. Yes, from the technology side, I think we can say tick, it’s possible.”

Reporter: Handa naman ang Senado na suportahan ang initiatibo ng EU at ang Sitio Electrification program ng administrasyon Duterte sa pagdagdag ng budget ng National Electrificatioin Administration. May kondisyon lang si Senadora

Loren Legarda.

(Meanwhile, the Senate is prepared to support the initiative of the EU and the Sitio Electrification program of the Duterte administration to increase the budget of the National Electrification Administration. However, Senator Loren Legarda has a condition for this budget increase.)

Footage of Senator Loren Legarda: “I will look into the NEA and the Sitio Electrification budget and see where ASEP can come in. As soon as I see where the loopholes or to where to plug the leaks for faster electrification sooner than 2020, perhaps I can double, triple or augment the NEA budget, as long as you show me that the DOE and the NEA have the absorptive capacity to utilize its budget for 2017 and beyond.”

Reporter: Una naman ang electrification sa listahan ng 100 days achievement ng Department of Energy. Nangako rin ang ahensiya na aayusin ang proseso para mas mapabilis pa ang pagpapailaw sa mga lugar na wala pang kuryente.

(Electrification ranked first in the list of 100 days achievement of the Department of Energy. The agency promised that it will fix the process for the faster lighting up of unelectrified areas.)

DOE Undersecretary Fuentebella: “The President made it very clear that we should streamline our processes. We in the Department of Energy are looking into how we can implement Section 23 of the DOE Law, which provides for other agencies to act and resolve DOE projects and DOE endorsed projects within 10 calendar days.”

Reporter: Umaaksyon, Michelle Orosa-Ople, News 5. (In the action, Michelle Orosa-Ople, News 5.)

18. Malaya, 11 October 2016

19. Malaya online, 11 October 2016

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/eu-allots-p9b-ph-clean-power-poor EU allots P9B for PH clean power for poor

October 11, 2016

The European Union (EU) is allotting up to P9 billion to develop energy projects in the Philippines through the Access to Sustainable Energy Program (ASEP) with the Department of Energy (DOE).

EU said ASEP aims to provide clean energy solutions to 100,000 households equivalent to 500,000 individuals; add 20 megawatts (MW) of additional renewable energy projects as well as improve energy efficiency in the Philippines to generate savings of greenhouse gas emissions.

“With ASEP, we are targeting some of the poorest communities in the Philippines. There is also a program we are working closely with the DOE so that we can see projects where we can pour in funds,” said Franz Jessen, EU ambassador to the Philippines at the EU-Philippines Energy Meeting in Makati last week.

“Financing agreement is going to run for three to four years. It depends on how fast the money is being spent and being used by the communities… We do have a chance for that (fund to be replenished.) We have some flexibility in the program, it depends very much on how the needs in the Philippines would be developed and how will the government’s objectives be achieved over time,” Jessen said.

Christoph Menke, ASEP strategic advisor, said the body preparing tender documents as well as calls for proposals to start the program.

“What I learned from EU is that in the next weeks most likely the information for tenders will go out. Before Christmas, private sector is invited to prepare for these tendering… Most likely in four to six weeks the first announcement of tendering process will start,” Menke said.

He said aside from the funding, technological advancements, business models as well as proper policies administration of the government will be needed for the ASEP to be realized.

Felix William Fuentebella, DOE undersecretary, said the agency is still listing possible projects that can be funded by the ASEP.

“We brought up FIT (feed-in-tariff), on (possible) ways for it not to be passed on to consumers. The other one is making more efficient energy system by making use of our information technology,” Fuentebella said.

Fuentebella added there are other European corporations interested to participate in the program as the DOE is also looking at liquefied natural gas development under ASEP.

Category:

Business News

20. BusinessWorld Online, 1 November 2016

21. BusinessWorld newspaper, 2 November 2016

New funding to relieve consumers of FiT burden

Posted on November 01, 2016

THE National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) is looking for other sources to fund the feedintariff allowance (FiTall) to unburden consumers from paying the monthly charge that is expected to increase in 2017 from the current 12.40 centavos per kilowatt•hour (kWh). “The FiT allowance and the FiT rates are there to push R.E. [renewable energy]. But it’s not there forever. It’s there only as a preliminary mechanism to encourage new investments in renewable energy. I think we have done that,” said Jose M. Layug, Jr., NREB officer•in•charge and former undersecretary of the Department of Energy (DoE).

“Moving forward, we need to look at other mechanisms,” he said, citing initiatives under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

The options include the renewable portfolio standard, a market•based policy that requires distribution utilities and other industry participants to source a portion of their power supply from eligible renewable energy resources.

The R.E. Law also called for the creation of renewable energy market and the issuance of rules on “green energy option,” a mechanism that empowers electricity consumers to choose renewable energy in meeting their energy requirements.

NREB’s plans come as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Oct. 25 granted a request from the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) for an extension to file the 2017 FiT•all rate.

The rate is expected to rise because of the additional solar power projects that came onstream this year. The proponents of these projects were in a race to meet the March 2016 deadline to subscribe to the 500•megawatt solar power installation target set by the DoE.

“One of the things I will definitely do is sit down with them [TransCo]. Review what needs to be done and review the FiT allowance,” Mr. Layug said.

TransCo, which handles the collected FiT•all from consumers before they are paid to the renewable energy developers, is given until Dec. 1, 2016 to secure the required board approval and complete the requirements for filing the 2017 FiT•all rate.

“When we applied for the 4 centavos, during my time [as undersecretary], it [DoE] took into account what we expected to come in terms of installation target, that was circa 2011. Back then solar was only 50 [MW]. After I left, it became 500 [MW] so definitely, there’s some adjustments needed but we need to study first,” he said.

Under the previous leadership, the DoE had endorsed seven solar projects to receive a subsidized rate of P9.68 for each kWh they export to the transmission network while 17 others were to get P8.69 per kWh. The fixed rate is guaranteed for 20 years.

The ERC, in consultation with NREB, formulated the FiT system rules, which include priority connection to the grid for electricity generated from emerging renewable energy resources solar, wind, biomass and run-of-river hydropower.

Electricity from these projects enters a priority purchase scheme that involves the obligation on the part of industry participants to source power from R.E. generation at a guaranteed fixed price applicable for a period determined by the ERC.

“The primary concern, especially of [Energy] Sec. [Alfonso G.] Cusi, is burden to the consumers. So we assure the people that as much as possible we will not burden the consumers,” Mr. Layug said.

Mr. Layug said once NREB’s board is complete, he plans to talk to foreign agencies to discuss the possibility of using their funding support for renewable energy to cover the FiTall.

“If you listen most of these multilateral agencies, they always tell that financing is available, grants are available to push for renewable energy. Definitely we will look at them as potential alternatives for financing, for funding our needs for FiT,” he said.

Earlier in October, the European Union said it had an untapped P3 billion for a fund called Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP), which aims to support the DoE’s electrification target. ASEP aims to assist the Philippines in expanding its energy generation to meet growing demand and to provide the poor greater access to electricity.

Franz Jessen, who heads the EU delegation to the country, previously said that the political and economic grouping has “flexibility in its development cooperation program,” referring to an additional P6 billion that the government may tap.

“Definitely we will make representations, to discuss what could be possible alternative sources of funding for our FiT allowance,” said Mr. Layug, who is awaiting his official appointment as NREB chairman.

Asked on his stand on a third round of feed•in•tariff for solar developers, he said did not know yet whether to support the proposal of the previous NREB board.

“We have the first two rounds of FiT already. There’s no commitment on the third round but what we can assure you at this time, especially all those who have built power plants, we need to help them, ensure that they are able to finish their power plants,” he said.

Under the previous administration, NREB proposed a FiT rate of P7.66 per kWh for another round of 500•MW installation target for solar energy. •• Victor V. Saulon