By Xander Ledesma
The province of Antique is advancing efforts to shift from traditional coal and bunker fuel to renewable energy sources. Governor Dante Beriong announced plans for a comprehensive Antique Renewable Energy Plan (AREP) following an energy forum on November 6, 2024, outlining a roadmap for sustainable energy development to be presented to the Provincial Development Council (PDC) next month.
AREP aims to harness the province’s potential in wind, solar, and hydropower, with particular focus on enhancing existing micro and mini-hydropower plants. Acting Provincial Planning and Development Officer Bienvinido Nallos Jr. explained that these plants not only reduce energy losses but also provide irrigation and potable water to local communities in areas like Sebaste and Culasi. This dual-purpose use of renewable infrastructure has the potential to support both energy and water needs, crucial in the region’s rural settings.
Environmental advocate Melvin Purzuelo of Green Forum Panay Guimaras emphasized that these energy developments could meet a significant portion of Antique’s demand, allowing for economic and environmental benefits. He advocates for public and private investments in these projects to maximize their impact and sustainability.
The shift aligns with broader regional and national goals. At the forum, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) representative Elaine Grace Fernandez highlighted the Western Visayas Regional Development Plan’s goal of achieving a 35% renewable energy share by 2030, with ambitions to surpass 50% by 2040. This transition represents a commitment to clean energy, reinforcing Antique’s role in the Philippines’ sustainable energy landscape.