Palawan, Philippines

Palawan, Philippines

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Hydropower
  • Implementation: Palawan is an island province off the coast of the Philippines. In order to promote access to electricity, increase reliability, add local jobs, protect the island environment, and lower energy costs, the province has set a goal of being powered by 100% renewable sources. Currently, more than half the communities in the province are without electricity. Where electricity does exist, it is expensive, reportedly twice as costly as in Manila. It is also unreliable as Palawan is not connected to the mainland grid, and black-outs and brown-outs are common. To achieve its 100% renewable target, Palawan aims to attract renewable energy investors to help fund the costs of installation by easing planning processes and providing incentives such as tax breaks. In November 2014, it was announced that the energy department contracted with local power generation and construction firm AGPI to build 11 hydropower plants in Palawan totalling 131 MW. Palawan's renewable energy plan however is under threat by national government support of building a coal plant on the island, with diesel being the preferred alternative. There has been significant local opposition to the building of the plant, including criticism by environmental groups like World Wildlife Fund.
  • Population: 849,469 (2015)
  • Area: 14,649.73 km2(5,656.29 sq mi)
  • Link: https://www.rappler.com/business/industries/173-power-and-energy/41998-palawan-renewable-energy-plan
Palawan, Philippines