QUEZON CITY, Philippines, Nov. 25 (PIA) - The Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing for a low carbon scenario as a result of the country's energy efficiency and conservation measures.

In an online Round Table Discussion with ministers and top government officials in Southeast Asia on Tuesday, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said that coal and oil shares decrease with the use of alternative fuels in the country.

"Coal and oil shares will also continue to decrease due to the use of alternative fuels for transport, among others. This also translates to a power generation mix that shifts from being coal-centered to one where RE, natural gas, and other emerging clean energy technologies will have increased shares," Secretary Cusi said.

The combined clean energy sources, he added, will improve to reach more than 66 percent of the total generation by 2040.

Secretary Cusi said the DOE is currently prioritizing the issuance of the National Renewable Energy Program 2020-2040 to achieve the envisioned target of around 34,000 MW of renewable energy installations by 2040.

To achieve the low carbon scenario, Secretary Cusi said he has just approved the updated Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2018-2040, which contains the necessary adjustments that the country has to make because of recent global developments, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the energy sector.

The updated sustainable and strategic PEP embodies a clear set of objectives, namely:

A. increase the production of clean and indigenous sources of energy to meet the economic development of the country;

B. decrease the wasteful utilization of energy through the use of energy efficiency tools and strategies; and

C. ensure the balance among the provision of reliable and reasonably priced energy services, support for economic growth, and protection of the environment.

Secretary Cusi likewise renewed his commitment to faithfully implement Republic Act 9513 or the Philippine RE Law for the remainder of his term as Energy Secretary.

With the theme "Accelerate Full Electrification in ASEAN with Greener Power Mix," the round table discussion was attended by top energy officials from Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. (MTQ/PIA-IDPD with information from DOE)