The province of Antique is gearing up to transition to sustainable, clean, and cheaper energy derived from natural resources.

Officer in charge Governor Dante Beriong said in an interview Thursday that the provincial government would soon come up with a renewable energy plan after the energy forum conducted on Wednesday.

“After the Energy Forum, the Antique Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) will now come up with the Antique Renewable Energy Plan (AREP) that will be presented to the Provincial Development Council during its meeting next month so we can transition into renewable energy from the traditional coal and bunker fuel,” Beriong said.

He said that through the AREP, the PDC would also know the possible investments and source of funds for the projects.

Acting PPDO chief Bienvinido Nallos Jr. said in a separate interview that Antique has existing micro and mini-hydropower plants that could be funded to increase energy generation.

“Aside from the mini-hydropower plants, we are also considering other sources of energy, such as wind and solar,” Nallos said.

Melvin Purzuelo, Chief Executive of the Green Forum Panay Guimaras, Inc., an organization focused on environmental sustainability and development in Panay and Guimaras, identified areas where existing micro and mini-hydropower plants can be further developed.

These areas are in Sebaste, Culasi, Valderrama, and San Remigio, which, once improved, have the potential capacity to meet the energy demands of the province.

“The mini-hydropower plants, aside (from) prevent(ing) system losses, are also being used as sources of water for irrigation and potable water of the communities,” he said.

The mini-hydropower plants are being managed by the local government units (LGUs) where they are located.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Senior Economic Development Specialist Elaine Grace Fernandez presented during the Energy Forum the Western Visayas Regional Development Plan 2023-2028, which supports the national plan to have at least a 35 percent renewable energy share in the power generation mix by 2030 and greater than 50 percent renewable energy share by 2040.

“One of the target outcomes and strategies to attain the Western Visayas Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 is to empower LGUs on clean energy and energy transition,” she said. (PNA)