Renewable energy is an integral part of the Philippines’ low emissions strategy addressing energy security, access to energy, and climate change concerns.

Renewable energy investments have already saved the Philippines PHP4.04 billion, according to a Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) report in 2017. Climate change solutions-provider WWF-Philippines said that offsetting the cost of expensive fossil fuels saved each Filipino consumer 5.67 centavos, while generating local jobs and reducing the country’s share of carbon emissions by an impressive 2.8 million tons.

Clean and renewable energy sources like geothermal, hydro, wind, biomass, and solar energy are among the country’s few competitive advantages – especially since the Philippines has no significant deposits of fossil fuels. Its continued dependence on imported fuel has made Philippine electricity rates among the highest in Southeast Asia.

Relying more on renewable energy has brought down the cost of electricity with fuel diversity, shielding Filipinos from price fluctuations as no fuel cost is incurred, as well as increased energy access with distributed renewable energy reaching off-grid communities.

WWF-Philippines has advocated shifting to renewable energy for years while optimizing energy use. WWF-Philippines has pointed out the adverse effects of fossil fuel use on nature, biodiversity, clean air and health, and the adverse economic impacts of prolonged reliance thereto. WWF’s study on Building Momentum for Low Carbon Development in the Philippines presented a viable roadmap for 100 percent renewable energy possible since the country hosts a vast potential of renewable energy resources.