Laguna de Bay, the country’s largest inland lake, is now being eyed for floating solar energy projects that will add pressure and further threaten the lake’s carrying capacity.Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga has suspended the acceptance, processing and approval of environmental compliance certificates for offshore wind and floating solar energy projects pending the approval of guidelines for these renewable energy projects.
Through NREP, the Philippines affirmed its commitment and set an ambitious target to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.Offshore wind power, and floating solar energy, however, are both new to the Philippines. There are already 57 approved service contracts waiting for the green light for an ECC for offshore wind power alone.Similarly, the DOE is expecting more investments for floating solar energy generation.
Floating solar energy also has environmental impact, Teh pointed out, because putting a blanket of solar panels may also deny fisherfolk access to their source of income and livelihood. More importantly, Teh said that in implementing the projects, the DENR is also putting in place measures that will protect and conserve biodiversity, such as identifying “no-go zones” like protected areas, which are set aside for conservation.Environment and climate advocates support the decision of the DENR in stopping the acceptance, processing and approval of ECC applications for RE projects.
Biological Diversity-focused Strategic Environmental Assessment “is another tool that can be used to guide the planning processes at a seascape/landscape level,” she added. Atty. Lisa Osorio, Oceana Philippine’s Legal and Policy head, highlighted to the Business Mirror the need for guidelines that will help hasten the country’s energy transition.
However, he pointed out that the DENR “should directly involve stakeholders, including fishing communities, progressive environmentalists, scientists and experts with regards to the guidelines of offshore-based renewable energy.”