DOE, NIA sign pact to optimize renewable energy, make it accessible to all

Stock photo of harvesting renewable energy FILE

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) are set to work together to optimize the country’s use of renewable energy and make it more accessible to the public through a memorandum of agreement signed on Thursday, said the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) in a statement.

“The agreement between DOE and NIA signified a crucial step forward in the pursuit of water security and sustainable resource management, which is aligned with the goals outlined in Executive Order No. 22, series of 2023,” the statement read.

The agreement also formalized the DOE and NIA’s partnership to enhance the nationwide approach to developing renewable energy resources.

This is in line with the country’s target of generating 35 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040, PCO said.

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Moreover, the DOE will use existing NIA irrigation facilities and ongoing construction, as well as areas specified for future irrigation development projects, “for public consumption” without jeopardizing NIA operations.

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“As part of the strategic initiative, NIA’s irrigation water will not only help the agency to expand economically and generate additional funds for the operation and maintenance of its irrigation facilities while allowing the DOE to provide the public with better access to a clean, reasonably priced energy source,” PCO said.

The agreement was signed by Energy Undersecretary Sharon Garin, DOE Director Marissa Cerezo, and Engineer Eduardo Eddie Guillen from NIA.

It was witnessed by Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Dominic Guevara.