Because a wave of droughts has scorched half of China’s territory, House Ways and Means Chair Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda thinks it’s high time for the national government to increase the baseload power generation of solar and wind energy sources.

The economist-lawmaker theorized that the droughts in China may result in a global demand spike for coal and fossil fuels.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/25/half-of-china-hit-by-drought-in-worst-heatwave-on-record/

https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/28/all-dead-a-devastated-farmer-in-southern-china-longs-for-rain/

“The drought is getting worse in China, and hydropower is already suffering as a consequence. Sichuan Province, one of the largest interior provinces, is already experiencing blackouts, and Chonqing had to cut the lights for some hours to save energy...As a result of drying up rivers, China is now ramping up its coal power production. In the short-run, that will mean we will probably export more coal to China. Prices of coal might spike up,” Salceda said on Sunday, Aug. 28.

“So, we need to increase solar and wind power as baseload. That requires that the Philippines gets access to solar and wind battery technology fast and soon,” he said.

Salceda is hopeful that the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)–in accordance with the Marcos administration’s plan to adopt cleaner energy sources–would heed his suggestion.

READ: https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/25/presidents-energy-plan-includes-nuclear-power-plants-renewables/

“I hope the DOE and the DTI will form a national effort to make wind and solar baseload sources. This is consistent with PBBM’s push for indigenous energy sources,” added Salceda.

He then concluded by putting forward five suggestions to support the shift to clean energy sources, namely:

“One, we need to be able to import large solar and wind batteries and accompanying technology. I suggest duty-free importation for components, parts, and the whole thing until we reach a baseload target for wind and solar,” began Salceda.

“Two, that technology is continuously evolving, so we need foreign talent here to install, maintain, and develop battery technology. So, I strongly recommend expedited and extended working visas for foreign scientists and operators of battery technology.”

“Three, our metals -- nickel, copper, and cobalt -- are essential components for battery technology for wind and solar, so I strongly recommend leveraging our mineral assets. I would encourage our mining companies to link up with foreign manufacturers of these large batteries.”

“Four, I would create a package of regulatory relief measures to expedite permits for solar and wind projects, especially those that supply baseload. We have one that is being built already, in Batangas. Land use permits take up the longest time in that regard.”

“Five, I would recommend policy changes, including the National Renewable Energy Board creating a new classification for RE as baseload, and classifying expanded targets for solar and wind as baseload. Right now, the DOE has suspended the expansion of solar and wind capacity expansion targets of 500 MW each, which would then be eligible for FIT . That was a policy decision under Secretary Alfonso Cusi,” he ended.