ABU DHABI— Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Hjayceelyn M. Quintana recently lobbied for financing support for pioneering renewable energy (RE) projects in the Philippines on 29 November 2022.
In her farewell visit to Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Francesco LaCamera at the IRENA headquarters in Abu Dhabi, Ambassador Quintana and DG La Camera agreed on the strong potential of the Philippines to take a leadership role in piloting RE projects, should the government and the private sector tap existing financing mechanisms available under IRENA, an intergovernmental body whose aim is to develop the capability of countries to shift to RE.
Serving as Philippine Permanent Representative to the IRENA for the past 4 years, Ambassador Quintana actively promoted the Philippines as a viable destination for RE projects given its natural resources. The Ambassador Quintana cited as one example the first-ever tidal power plant located in Capul Island in northern Samar that can be replicated in several off-grid sites around the country to provide electricity in the hinterlands. The said power plant harnesses both the power of tidal energy and solar energy as a bundled strategy that incorporates the use of recharged hydrogen fuel cells, which is another first in the country.
Ambassador Quintana also shared with DG La Camera the Philippine Government’s target for RE deployment of 50% share in power generation by 2040, through strengthened policy mechanisms such as the yearly conduct of the Green Energy Auction, enhanced competitive RE Zones, and relaxation of foreign participation restrictions on RE development.
The UAE Government’s hosting of IRENA is consistent with its thrust of promoting sustainable development globally. As it hosts COP28 next year in Abu Dhabi, the Philippines looks forward to deeper engagement with the UAE in this area, given the mutual interest in food security and protection of the environment between the two countries.
Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs