Revolutionizing Energy in the Philippines with Tidal Stream Technology
Transforming the Philippines' Off-Grid Energy Landscape
Ocean Pixel, in collaboration with key partners and stakeholders, is excited to announce the launch of a groundbreaking project aimed at decarbonizing electricity generation on off-grid islands in the Philippines. The project, titled Philippines – Decarbonisation of Electricity Generation on Philippine Islands – Using Tidal Stream and Solar PV, seeks to leverage tidal stream energy (TSE) and solar PV hybrid systems to address the country’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels and the high costs of electricity generation.
Passage through Rasa Channel – tidal flow and high waves are a challenge for the regularly used small fishing boats / Photo credit: © Sustainable Marine Energy (SME)
Project Overview:
Funding Volume: EUR 20 Million
Project Duration: 2024-2029
Current Phase: Implementation Phase 1 (Pilot stage)
Partners Involved: Department of Energy (DoE), Philippine Climate Change Commission (CCC), National Electrification Administration (NEA), and many others.
Key Goal: The project aims to provide a sustainable energy solution by installing 64 MW of TSE hybrid systems and 100 MWh of battery storage in off-grid islands across the Philippines.
Why This Project Matters:
The Philippine energy sector is significantly dependent on fossil fuels, which contribute heavily to greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the country’s 2,000 inhabited islands remain disconnected from the national electric grid, forcing them to rely on diesel generators. This results in environmental pollution, unreliable electricity supply, and high electricity costs. To counter this, TSE hybrid systems, combined with solar PV, offer a more efficient and sustainable solution.
However, the use of these systems has been limited due to challenges such as:
Lack of access to favorable financing products
Insufficient awareness of the effectiveness of TSE hybrid systems
A lack of a regulatory framework supporting the adoption of these technologies
Approach to Transformational Change:
The project combines financial cooperation (FC) and technical cooperation (TC) components. The FC component will provide long-term concessional loans alongside CAPEX grants, making the TSE hybrid system investment project financially viable. The TC component will assist local governments in adjusting regulations to accommodate TSE technologies and support the licensing of new projects.
This project’s primary impact is to enable small island grid operators to transition from fossil fuels to sustainable TSE hybrid systems. The long-term goal is to make these systems replicable and encourage private investment in the sector.
Expected Outcomes:
Installation of 64 MW of TSE hybrid systems and 100 MWh of battery storage
Over EUR 164 million expected to be leveraged from public and private sectors
Direct reduction of 1.2 million tons of CO2e over the project’s lifespan
A Sustainable Future for the Philippines:
This innovative approach will reduce the country’s carbon footprint, improve energy security for off-grid islands, and create a sustainable market for TSE hybrid systems. Through collaborative efforts and strategic investments, the project is paving the way for a cleaner, more reliable energy future for the Philippines.
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