German firms seek tie-ups for solar energy projects
To encourage more investments in renewable energy, the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) will bring in eight major German solar power firms this Thursday for the1st Solar Energy Forum at the Casino Español.
Henry Schumacher, ECCP vice president for external affairs, said the forum would be the first of a series of visits of German renewable energy firms to the country with a high potential for business partnerships.
“The German companies are coming here under the program “Renewables – Made in Germany” initiated by the German government which is aggressively promoting renewable energy in Southeast Asia including the Philippines,” Schumacher said.
The German companies are interested in partnerships for solar energy development and will seek out potential stakeholders including the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Board of Investments.
Three of the eight German companies operate in Asia – China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.
It will be the first time for five other companies to look for business opportunities in Asia.
These companies are Donauer Solartechnik Vertriebs GmbH, Energiebau Solarstromsysteme GmbH, IBC Solar AG, Inutec Solarzentrum GmbH i.G., and SMA Solar Technology AG
“These companies export as much as $100 million in solar technology every year, which is a good opportunity for the Philippines to get more foreign investments. We are confident that if they find the business environment in the country conducive for investing in renewable energy sector, then they will stay for the long term and increase their presence,” Schumacher said.
Regional Director Antonio Labios of the DOE-7 said the Philippines is one of the countries in the region with the highest potential for solar energy generation and the current administration is trying to encourage more investors to come.
Labios cited Energy Secretary Rene Almendras’ Energy Reform Agenda which includes developing a sustainable energy plan and encourage more investments here.
These include renewable sources of energy like wind and seawaves.
Solar energy is projected to contribute 1,528 megawatts by 2030 according to the National Renewable Energy Plan.
“Solar energy has the lowest production in the country with a combined current capacity of only 2 megawatts (MW). These companies are looking for opportunities to contribute towards bridging this gap,” Schumacher said.
Labios said In Cebu 2,591 residents in Panang-an Island in Mactan rely on solar energy as their main source of power to generate 25 MW.
“There have been talks about piloting a solar energy project at the household level where residents will be required to install solar panels in their rooftops and save the energy in batteries during the day. They would then use the saved energy for small lightings at night,” said Labios.
Labios, however, said there were no firm plans as to when and where the project will be implemented in Cebu.
“It will need funding and technical expertise. With these firms coming here, we might just find partners for this that we can duplicate on a larger scale in the future,” Labios said.
According to DOE’s 2010 figures, solar energy, including wind and biomass, only accounted for 0.13 percent of the total generation mix in the country or 90 Gigawatt hour (Gwh) out of the country’s 67,743 Gwh.
Coal had the biggest share of 34.40 percent or a total of 23,301 Gwh followed by natural gas with 19,518 Gwh and geothermal with 7,803 Gwh.
Luzon has the most number of power generation with 50,265 Gwh followed by Visayas with 9,075 Gwh and Mindanao with 8,403 Gwh.
Based on current projections, renewable energy is foreseen to provide up to 40 percent of the country’s primary energy requirements by 2013.
