Philippines amps up plans on going geothermal

The Philippines, sitting in the Ring of Fire zone of Pacific Volcanoes, becomes enlightened with the new surge of exploration efforts to revive the country’s green energy machine.

The industry has been sent sliding due to years of neglect. However, officials hope that this geothermal source can help revive the country’s potential for geothermal energy.

“It’s an exciting development. In an environment where coal is king, this is good stuff,” said Enrique Nunez, the country director for Conservation International.

Risks and potentials

In June, the Philippine government initiated a series of new exploration surveys. These came on top of around ten contracts the country has signed in the previous years with power companies to drill exploratory wells.

Ariel Fronda, head of the renewables division of the Philippine energy ministry, said there is a high degree of interest in renewable energy. That’s why the government is aiming to increase the capacity for new explorations.

The Philippines has the fifth largest geothermal reserves. Currently, it has seven geothermal fields that supply about 12 percent of the nation’s energy. A long-term plan is in place to nearly double capacity by 2040.

Nevertheless, Fronda said that geothermal is “risky.” Although it is nominally free, finding the resource comes with a hefty amount. An exploration well typically cost up to $8 million each with no guarantee of success.

On the other hand, David Livingston, a renewable energy expert with the US-based Atlantic Council think-tank, said the Philippines can still be an important player in geothermal. The country can be a “catalyst” for other developing nations’ interest in geothermal.

via ABS-CBN News / Cecil Morella, Agence France-Presse