DoE eyes alternative energy sources in Isabela

SANTIAGO, Isabela – In its quest for the continuous research and development of renewable energy, the Department of Energy (DoE) has launched a nationwide campaign to tap the Philippine country side for possible alternative power sources as a component to the government’s 20-year Philippine energy plan. Recently, a team from the department led by Undersecretary Ramon Santos visited the northern city of Santiago in Isabela to dialogue with concerned provincial government and private agencies in the province on the possibility of exploring the area for potential sources of renewable energy. The visit came in the heels of a continuous rise in the cost of fuel and other energy sources worldwide. Santos said, “Oil importation has become so expensive and yet we are held captive by this trend in the world market that’s why we are now looking for more sources of alternative energy." The DoE has identified Isabela being an area rich in natural gases and host to ample idle lands suitable for Jatropha plantation. Isabela is also listed as one of sixteen sites in the country the department is offering to investors as an ideal location for windfarms, or area where windmills can be constructed to generate natural energy. It is also known as a province rich in renewable energy source like the Magat Hydro Power Plant and geothermal plants. “We will also check on other areas as well, in San Antonio there are reports that there’s an abundance of natural gas there." He added. Santos explained that the campaign to go around different parts of the country is part of the department’s public consultation process to appraise public sentiments regarding possible exploration of alternative power sources. Santos also manifested the possibility of operating nuclear power plants which is a very cheap source of power. “We are capable of putting up nuclear power plants and we hope people in the country side can see the importance of this project." He said. But Santos added that all the plans will go through all legal procedures including public consultations. Aside from tapping all possible sources of energy, there are about 2 million hectares up for Jatropha planting in Philippine idle lands. If harnessed to its full potential, it can produce 5.6 million liters of bio-diesel a year. - GMANews.TV