April 22, 2024
Quezon City—The Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) is a tangible pathway for the country’s private special economic zones (ecozones) to meet their energy self-sufficiency and greenhouse gas emission avoidance targets without upfront costs.
This was highlighted by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) during the first leg of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) roadshow on GEOP and other renewable energy voluntary programs, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)—Energy Secure Philippines, conducted in Subic, Zambales on 16 April 2024.
Ecozones refer to selected highly developed areas or economic potential locations that may be privately or publicly owned. The DOE believes that the energy-extensive operations required to establish and sustain an ecozone will reinforce the demand for an improved renewable energy capacity and infrastructure in the country.
“We encourage companies to join GEOP which sources power from renewable energy generation companies, in support of the DOE,” Engr. Daniel Zagada, Planning Officer of PEZA, said.
Accessing renewable energy through GEOP
The vision of creating low-carbon and sustainable ecozones abides by the DOE’s target to increase the share of renewable energy in the power mix by 35% and 50% in 2030 and 2040, respectively.
DOE said that GEOP is a sustainable energy measure for private ecozones to access renewable energy.
“GEOP is one of the voluntary mechanisms of DOE that gives customers the power of choice to source 100% of electricity from renewable energy sources. This enables customers to contribute to the development and utilization of renewable energy in the least cost and sustainable manner,” DOE explained.
GEOP guarantees end-users that even its replacement power is harnessed from 100% renewable energy, making it unique from other energy mechanisms.
However, businesses have low awareness of GEOP and other renewable energy mechanisms. This was revealed in the RE Energize PH survey report of Climate Reality Philippines in 2023 which assessed the level of awareness and readiness of more than 400 business entities in GEOP.
Mary Jane San Juan, Communications Officer of The Climate Reality Project Philippines, presented during the event that eligible private entities have expressed interest in learning and participating in GEOP, but cited issues and challenges on the program.
“We recommend DOE to consider policy amendments in lowering the threshold, which is currently set at an annual average peaking demand of at least 100 kWh, as well as simplifying the stringent registration process in GEOP,” she said.
Gains and opportunities with GEOP
The survey also underscored the economic and environmental benefits of GEOP, which Climate Reality Philippines has also been featuring in their campaign.
San Juan shared that Linden Suites, a hotel in Pasig City, was able to save PhP7.2 million after joining the program in 2022. She also mentioned Globe Telecom and Arthaland’s Arya Residences—both having been able to reduce their electricity costs by 10% because of GEOP.
The owners of artisanal food company Foodcrafters, Inc. in Marilao, Bulacan also testified to the benefits of GEOP during the event. Engr. Glenn Prequencia and Engr. Elo Pedeglorio stated that their company saved over half a million pesos on power costs in just five (5) months by using renewable energy through GEOP.
Building the movement in support of GEOP
As the demand for renewable energy access intensifies, Climate Reality Philippines will work closely with the DOE in promoting GEOP and other renewable energy initiatives in the country.
In the coming months, Climate Reality Philippines will conduct another survey for the second installment of the RE Energize PH Survey and will launch a study on quantifying the benefits of GEOP. Moreover, it will organize conferences and campaigns about GEOP to increase the participation of businesses from the health, the academe, telecommunications, tourism, and local governments.
