Country Update on Geothermal Utilization and Barriers Affecting Its Growth-Philippines

Abstract

The growth spurts of geothermal energy in the Philippines in the early 1980's and late 1990's can be attributed to government support through the enactment of laws. Despite the passage of the Renewable Energy Act in 2008, the installed geothermal capacity had declined from 1,972 MW to 1,917 MW with decommissioning of plants and small capacity development in the last 5 years. This stalled growth can be attributed to regulatory barriers and current electricity market conditions. Simplification of permitting requirements, implementation of the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and Green Energy Options, incentives through grant of Feed-in-Tariffs (FIT) for geothermal emerging technologies and small-scale development, and priority dispatch are deemed beneficial that will spawn its growth to meet the government roadmap.