Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. has filed a Senate resolution expressing his strong support to the efforts of the Department of Energy in the development and in the generation of investments for the frontier geothermal areas in the country in a bid to fully implement the Philippine Rural Electrification Program.

In filing Senate Resolution 1531,Villar noted that the Philippines, with a capacity of 1,987 megawatts (MW), is the world's second-biggest producer of geothermal energy after the United States as it accounts for about 17 percent of the generation mix, which means that one in every six light bulbs is powered by geothermal energy.

In terms of geothermal reserves, the Philippines has been reported to have sufficient resources to produce more than 1,000 MW of additional electricity from geothermal sources.

Villar filed the resolution in the wake of reports that in Mindanao, if power grids remain unchecked, is in the verge of power shortage in the next five years, given the prevailing standing capacity of 1,510 megawatts and with the average increase in power requirement of six percent annually. He noted that a power deficit is projected to be equivalent to 484 megawatts.

“Whereas, if this looming energy crisis is left unchecked, then the entire Mindanao grid will, be experiencing regular rotating brownouts as early as next year (2010), especially with the coming in of additional new investments that are anticipated to further deplete the grid's reserve capacity,” the resolution read. Villar filed the resolution before Congress went into the Yuletide break last Dec. 16.

Noting the efforts in the development and exploration of frontier areas which are currently being considered by the Department of Energy to be undertaken by private firms, Villar said Mindanao cannot afford to have another setback which will derail its development and economic potential and actual growth.