Zubiri: Red tape hinders renewable energy projects

MORE POWER Wind turbines in Pililla, Rizal, have a capacity of 54 megawatts. —REM ZAMORA

The government should stamp out bureaucratic red tape to help develop the country’s renewable energy industry amid the soaring prices of crude oil in the world market, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Friday.

According to Zubiri, the Philippines could become the top producer of clean energy in Asia by harnessing its abundant sources of geothermal, hydro, solar and wind energy across the archipelago.

By investing in renewable power generation, he said the cost of per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity may go down to P5, or more than 50 percent less from its average price of P11 per kWh last month.

“But we have to address red tape that has been discouraging businesses from setting up renewable energy ventures,” Zubiri said in a statement.

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“I have been talking to several businessmen and investors, and this is their common answer: They are frustrated with the bureaucratic red tape,” he said.

The unnecessary delays in putting up businesses in the country have become “a dampener on the business community’s enthusiasm to invest in renewal energy generation,” the Senate leader added.

He said concerned state agencies should be more proactive in implementing Republic Act No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business Act, which was approved by Congress to put an end to red tape.