Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Carlos Trazo

ABS-CBN News

TAGUIG CITY — The Philippines doesn’t need to look outward to define its climate goals.That was the message from the Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin at the 2025 Philippine Net Zero Conference, where she emphasized the country’s independent path toward decarbonization.“I think it’s more of the net zero target as to commitment in the international organizations or international institutions. We do have our own targets, we have targets, as far as we’re concerned, may targets kami na 50 percent renewable by 2040, sa 2050 ay 70 percent, so merong national target at our own domestic policies. We do not need to commit to any other country what we want to do for our country. Kasi tayo mismo, we decide ourselves what our targets are… We have good targets for net zero… We don’t need to make a commitment to any other international organization kasi we have committed it to ourselves. Kaya meron tayong commitment on net zero, as far as energy is concerned,” Garin said.She also acknowledged gaps in incentives for host communities of solar, wind, and geothermal projects, pointing to the DOE’s proposal to revise the ER 1-94 program. “We understand that there is not enough, na walang proper incentives. Policy-wise, and I think legislative can fix it better pero policy-wise… the ER 1-94 [program]… we have a proposal to increase it… in our level, there’s still on public consultations. But within the month, I think we can issue it already to increase the share of the local governments.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/9/11/doe-confident-of-hitting-re-targets-amid-challenges-1632">DOE confident of hitting RE targets amid challenges</a></div>Garin revealed that the DOE is preparing a policy to give electric cooperatives the right of first refusal for renewable energy generated in their areas.“We are also issuing a policy na we will give a right to first refusal sa co-op na kung saan yung renewable energy, but we have to respect the current contracts. Pero moving forward, gusto namin mabigyan ng option ang co-op na dapat silang unahan na bigyan ng i-offer… ang power na nage-generate ng renewable energy plant… So, that is already considered.”She added that the DOE is in talks with the DILG to explore how host communities can benefit more directly from geothermal wealth. “We are trying to figure out kung… ang wealth tax kasi malaki dapat sa inyo kasi kayo yung host ng geothermal… We are trying to talk to DILG on what are the options… maybe use it, like what the province of Antique did, they use it to subsidize electric bills of the communities around… So we understand na kulang pa yung benefits, but we’re working on it po.On carbon credits, Garin said the DOE’s energy-specific policy is nearing completion. “On the carbon credit policy of DOE, medyo patapos na kami… that’s only for energy lang, it doesn’t cover the rest of the carbon credit universe like yung mga reforestation, other activities other than energy… So hopefully it will be finished within the year, and since very specific ang energy, we want to go ahead na lang para we can already deal with Singapore and Japan on the carbon credit policy that we have… So hopefully we’ll work it out soon with energy kasi pwede naman i-isolate ang energy for now.”First Gen President Giles Puno, speaking at the same summit, shared updates on the company’s geothermal expansion in Mindanao. “...within the Philippines, we have a lot of smaller but still important geothermal expansion… Yung pinakamalaki ay Amacan [Geothermal Power Project] na nasa Davao de Oro, nearest city is Tagum… so what we’re doing na is nagpapadala na kami ng drilling rig towards that area… so hopefully we will start drilling in Amacan by the next month or so.”He emphasized that Amacan is a greenfield site, not an expansion, and could deliver up to 100 megawatts. “Ang maganda diyan, green field yung thermal niya, hindi siya expansion. And we’re hoping na at least mga 72 to 100 megawatts are done… If that’s the case, in the case of Mindanao, the only geothermal resource is in Mt. Apo. If we will be successful, then this will be the second sa Amacan, both developed by First Gen.”Puno also discussed the company’s broader renewable strategy, including solar and hydro. “Sa solar naman, we’re also scaling but smaller kasi ang cost niya pababa nang pababa eh, so we’re hoping na we can develop 50 megawatts first and then replicate that, and hopefully it will expand sa hydro as well.”He acknowledged the challenge of meeting the government’s 30-gigawatt renewable target. “Challenging ang 30 gigawatts to say the least kasi the issue is length of time to develop it… But the reason we came up with the 30 gigawatts is yun ang pronouncement ng gobyerno… The limitation of renewable is maliit ang capacity niya eh… maliit ang output. So, you’ll build that solar pero yung capacity factor lang niya is 20 percent. So parang mas sulit yung building 70 megawatts of geothermal… 365 days yun… mas malaki ang production niya kasi 24/7 siya, so yun ang maganda sa geothermal.”He added that Amacan is still in the exploration phase, with significant upfront costs. “Kaya lang yung sa Amacan, may exploration phase siya, ‘di naman alam masyado kung yung steam niya is sufficient to develop a power plant. Ang programa ng DOE and ng gobyerno is to attract more investors sa geothermal by being able to share what they call derisking facility… kasi if we invest 3 billion pesos there tapos wala, ano ang mangyayari sa 3 billion namin? Sa exploration pa lang ito, so 1 and a half this year kasi pati kalye ay kami ang gumagawa… I think the local communities, that’s where the benefit eh.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/9/13/real-estate-firm-shifts-to-renewable-energy-in-11-facilities-2100" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Real estate firm shifts to renewable energy in 11 facilities</a></div>

The Philippines doesn’t need to look outward to define its climate goals, the Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin said during the 2025 Philippine Net Zero Conference, where she emphasized the country’s independent path toward decarbonization.

The Philippines doesn’t need to look outward to define its climate goals, the Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin said during the 2025 Philippine Net Zero Conference, where she emphasized the country’s independent path toward decarbonization.

PH sets own net zero path as First Gen expands geothermal in Mindanao

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PH sets own net zero path as First Gen expands geothermal in Mindanao

Carlos Trazo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 18, 2025 09:24 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippines

DOE

Department of Energy

Decarbonization

Philippine Net Zero Conference 2025

Sharon Garin

Geothermal

Carbon credit

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