Beyond Solar: The Renewable Energy the Philippines Truly Needs

 

Beyond Solar: The Renewable Energy the Philippines Truly Needs

What Is the Best Renewable Energy Source in the Philippines?

If you are asked this question today, many people would quickly answer solar energy. Solar has become the most popular and familiar renewable energy source, not only in the Philippines but around the world. We often see solar panels on rooftops, in open fields, and even in small communities. Because of this visibility, solar energy is usually the first thing that comes to mind when talking about clean and renewable power.

And to be fair, solar energy is not a wrong answer. It plays an important role in reducing pollution and helping lower electricity costs in some areas. However, based on experience and local conditions in the Philippines, there is another renewable energy source that is more reliable and more suitable for our country’s needs.

Solar energy is widely seen as one of the best renewable energy sources because sunlight is available almost everywhere. Solar panels can be installed on a large scale, such as solar farms that generate power for thousands of homes. They can also be installed on rooftops, allowing households to produce their own electricity. This flexibility makes solar energy very attractive.

But despite these advantages, solar energy has a major limitation: availability. Solar power depends on sunlight, which means it only produces electricity during the daytime. On cloudy days or during heavy rains—which are common in the Philippines—solar power output drops significantly. At night, solar panels do not produce electricity at all unless they are supported by batteries, which are still expensive.

This brings us to an important question: Why should Filipinos care so much about renewable energy in the first place?

The Philippines today is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels to produce electricity. Power plants across the country burn coal and natural gas, most of which are imported from other countries. In fact, fossil fuels make up around 60% or more of the Philippine energy mix. This means that almost every time we turn on a light, charge our phones, or use appliances, fossil fuels are being burned somewhere to generate that power.

This high dependence on fossil fuels affects ordinary Filipinos more than we realize. Since coal and natural gas are imported, their prices are controlled by the global market, not by the Philippines. When international prices go up, the cost of electricity in the country also increases. As a small economy, the Philippines has very little influence over these prices. We cannot simply ask exporting countries to lower their costs for us.

Because of this, electricity prices in the Philippines are among the highest in Southeast Asia. This puts pressure on households, small businesses, and industries. It also slows down economic growth and increases the cost of living.

So, what is the best renewable energy source for the Philippines?

The answer is geothermal energy, also known as energy from the heat of the Earth.

The Philippines is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for volcanic activity and underground heat. Because of this, the country has many geothermal reservoirs that can be explored and used to generate electricity. These underground heat sources are available in several parts of the country, including Leyte and Negros.

One major advantage of geothermal energy over solar energy is reliability. Geothermal power plants can operate as baseload power plants, meaning they can produce electricity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are not affected by weather, time of day, or seasons. Once a geothermal plant is running, it can consistently supply power at nearly full capacity.

In contrast, solar power can only provide dependable electricity during daylight hours. This makes geothermal energy much more suitable for supporting the country’s growing electricity demand.

The Philippines cannot suddenly stop using coal and natural gas because these power plants currently provide stable baseload power. Shutting them down too quickly could cause power shortages and seriously damage the economy. However, this does not mean we should continue relying on fossil fuels forever.

If the government invests more in exploring new geothermal sites, it could be a major step toward lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing electricity costs. Increasing geothermal capacity strengthens the supply side of the energy system and reduces the need to import fossil fuels. Over time, this can help stabilize or even lower electricity prices for Filipino households.

So when should the Philippines start investing more in geothermal energy?

The answer is now.

The country’s population is growing, and the economy continues to expand. This means electricity demand will keep increasing in the coming decades. If we fail to plan properly, we risk facing energy shortages, higher prices, and more environmental damage. Our heavy dependence on fossil fuels is no longer sustainable.

We need to support energy solutions that can match the baseload capacity of coal-fired power plants while being cleaner and more reliable. Among renewable energy sources, geothermal energy is the strongest contender.

Large geothermal power plants have already proven that they can coexist with nature. In places like Leyte and Negros, geothermal facilities operate alongside forests and natural ecosystems. These plants show that clean energy and environmental protection can go hand in hand.

That said, geothermal energy should not be the only renewable energy source we develop. The key to a stable and sustainable energy future is a diversified energy mix, with strong support for various renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal. Still, geothermal deserves much more attention because of its availability and reliability in the Philippines.

As citizens and consumers, we also have a role to play. Supporting policies and projects that promote geothermal energy can help secure a cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable energy future for the country. Geothermal energy is one of the Philippines’ greatest natural advantages—and it is time we fully invest in it.