Renewable energy in the Philippines

The government of the Philippines has legislated a number of policies in order to increase the use of renewable energy by the country.

The government has committed to raising to 50% the contribution of renewables of its total electricity generating capacity,[2] with 15.3 gigawatts (GW) by 2030.

Rising sea levels are a threat because the Philippines is an archipelago with many cities located in coastal areas.

This is evident in the power sector where increased generation from geothermal and hydro resources has lessened the country's dependency on imported and polluting fuels.

[26] However, hydroelectricity production in the Philippines can cause upstream and downstream flooding during monsoonal weather and when excess water is released from dams.

[26][27] Hydropower integration also has the potential to disturb pre-existing natural ecosystems and cultures as well as cause land dispossession and community resettlement.

[24][28] The methods of using geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) to determine suitable sites for constructing hydroelectric plants do not tend to incorporate social or environmental considerations.

[25] Vocal environmental human rights defenders have been red-tagged by the government or extrajudicially killed by the military or police.

[25][28][30] The rights, concerns, and political agency of indigenous peoples trying to protect their villages and sacred sites from being submerged have often been disregarded due to urban-centric economic development.

Geothermal energy production can result in the release of toxic substances such as mercury, hydrogen sulfide, arsenic and selenium.

[40][41] On March 13, 2024, Cheloy Garafil announced that German wind and solar farms developer wpd GmbH, per CEO Björn Nullmeyer, committed P392.4B investment for PH renewable energy.

The Electric Power Industry Reform Act (2001) (EPIRA) promotes the use of renewable energy particularly through private sector investment.

[7] However, after a decade of EPIRA's enactment, advocacy groups and lawmakers said the law only strengthened monopolies and caused electricity rates to double.

[46][47][48][49] The Biofuels Act (2006) documents state policy to reduce the Philippines' dependence on imported fossil fuels.

[50] Electricity utilities make net metering agreements with qualified end-users of renewable energy systems.

A minimum percentage of electricity from renewable sources for the off-grid missionary electrification system was also mandated.