CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano power consumers may soon be able to buy electricity source from renewable energy plants, following the introduction of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AP) “Cleanergy” brand.
“Cleanergy concretizes the company’s promise of providing better solutions for a better future. It is an energy solution that will give AP power consumers an option to reduce their carbon footprint and attain a more sustainable lifestyle,” said Erramon Aboitiz AP President and Chief Executive Officer.
However, Aboitiz said that in order for AP to sell its “Cleanergy” to customers who are looking for renewable energy sources, the company will wait for the open access power supply system to be adopted in the Philippines.
In an open access regime, large power consumers can choose their power suppliers, unlike the present system, which restricts their choice to distributors operating in their respective areas.
Aboitiz said the main purpose of the re-marketing of AP is to widen public consciousness about climate change and its adverse impact on society.
“Once the Renewable Energy Bill becomes a law, it allows end-users to tell their distribution utilities that they want to buy power from renewable energy sources,” Aboitiz said.
The “Cleanergy” may be sourced from the company’s combined 1,000-megawatt renewable energy capacity under AP’s portfolio, he added.
“We like renewable energy. We think the future of the country’s power industry is into renewable energy sources,” Aboitiz said, but acknowledged the option of providing green power is something “not readily acceptable to consumers.”
“It is feasible but it will take time for consumers to appreciate ‘green power’. In the long run, what we want to see is consumers who are willing to pay a little more for ‘green power’ and we want to be ready when the demand comes and offer it to them at the least possible cost,” he said.
Energy sourced from expensive renewable power sources, will be offered as optional product for “environmentally-friendly” consumers. Aboitiz believes that with the growing concern of global warming issues, more and more customers are demanding for it.
Besides, once the Bill will be passed into Law, consumers that are using electricity products sourced from renewable sources will be exempted from the 10 percent value added tax.
In Cebu, due to unavailability of renewable power resources, Aboitiz said the company is trying its best to limit the adverse effect of coal-fired plant, which the company is building a 246-MW power plant in Toledo, in partnership with Global Power.
“We like renewable power, but there are times that they are not available,” Aboitiz said.
However, if the open access will be implemented, Cebuano power consumers, as well as the rest of the Visayas, will be able to buy “Cleanergy” product, through an importation of power from Luzon to Cebu, Aboitiz said.
Source: The Freeman Cebu
