5 Types of Renewable Energy in the Philippines

Renewable energy (RE) is widely seen as a viable solution to address increasing electricity demands in a sustainable manner. With its archipelagic nature, the Philippines has considerable RE potential, having multiple locations of existing, upcoming, and potential facilities. 

RE refers to power sources derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly. Unlike fossil fuels like coal, which are finite and contribute significantly to environmental degradation, RE offers no or minimal emissions. 

Around 30% of the country’s power supply came from RE as of end-2023, based on data from the Department of Energy (DOE). The government aims to raise this to 35% by 2030 and to 50% by 2040. 

Here are five sources of RE that are already being utilized in the Philippines:

Solar energy is versatile and can be deployed in a variety of scales, using photovoltaic (PV) panels and inverters. However, its efficiency depends on location and weather conditions, making it more effective in sunny regions.  

In the Philippines, there are around 60 solar power plants, 40 of which are in Luzon, according to the DOE (as of April 2024). Based on the Global Solar Atlas, Northern and Central Luzon are among the regions in the country that have the highest solar power potential output. 

There are also solar installations that can be found on commercial and industrial structures, as well as on rooftops of some houses. 

Wind turbines, often seen in large clusters called wind farms, convert the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical power, which is then transformed into electricity. Wind energy is especially effective in coastal regions, plains, and high-altitude areas where wind speeds are consistently high. 

The Philippines hosts seven wind power plants, four of which are in Ilocos Norte. Based on the Global Wind Atlas, the northern part of the province – where the four wind farms are located – has the highest potential wind power output in the country.

Hydropower is generated by harnessing the energy of flowing or falling water. This type of RE is suitable for the Philippines given its wide range of terrain and that an average of 20 storms pass through the country yearly. 

Hydroelectric energy is also the Philippines’ largest RE provider, accounting for half of all power that renewables can produce and 14% of the country’s entire power generation capacity, as of end-2023. 

There are two kinds of hydropower technologies prevalent in the Philippines – dams and run-of-river. Dams are often built on large rivers to create reservoirs, with water released to spin turbines that generate electricity. Some known examples are the Angat Dam in Bulacan, Ambuklao and Binga in Benguet, and Caliraya in Laguna. Run-of-river systems, meanwhile, channel part of a river or waterway through a power plant before the water rejoins the river. Many run-of-river plants can be found in Benguet, Bohol, and the Davao Region.

Geothermal energy comes from the Earth's internal heat, which can be accessed by drilling into underground reservoirs of hot water or steam. This energy can be used directly for heating or to generate electricity by driving turbines.

The Philippines has considerable geothermal potential being within the Pacific Ring of Fire of active volcanoes and fault lines. There are ten geothermal plants in the country. Among the more known plants are one near the Mayon Volcano in Albay; one right by an active fault line in Leyte; and one near the western slopes of Mount Apo in North Cotabato. 

Biomass energy is produced by burning organic materials such as wood, agricultural residues, and waste. This process releases stored chemical energy in the form of heat, which can be used to generate electricity or provide heating. Biomass is considered renewable because the organic materials used can be replenished through natural means, like replanting crops or trees. 

There are around 40 biomass plants across the country. Familiar examples include those in Negros Occidental – known as the “Sugar Bowl of the Philippines” – that use sugarcane as material for producing electricity.  

Each type of RE has its unique features and capabilities that various stakeholders are working on to continue harnessing so that both people and planet benefit from these technologies.  

A future powered by renewables is not only possible, but necessary to ensure a livable planet for generations to come. The transition to 100% RE may be ambitious, but with concerted global efforts, which include sustainable financing programs from banks, it is an achievable goal that will yield immense benefits.