The Philippines is “moving with urgency” on its renewable energy (RE) expansion as Filipinos suffer from skyrocketing oil prices triggered by the war in the Middle East.
The goal of the Department of Energy is to slash dependence on foreign markets now disrupted by the raging conflict between the United States-Israel alliance against Iran.
RE projects continue to dominate the government’s fast-tracked investment pipeline, as approvals under the Board of Investments’ (BOI) “green lane” program rose by P315.67 billion in the first quarter.
BOI data showed total green lane investments reached P6.43 trillion as of end-March, up 5.24 percent from P6.11 trillion at end-2025.
That pipeline now covers 244 projects endorsed since the program’s launch in February 2023, including 12 new projects approved in the first three months of 2026.
RE accounts for bulk of the pipeline with 189 projects valued at P5.52 trillion, equivalent to 85.92 percent of total green lane investments.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said “Many of the projects under the Green Lane are in renewable energy and related infrastructure. Accelerating their implementation is important to help address energy supply requirements, stabilize costs, and support continued economic activity.”
DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said the fresh power investment approvals would help strengthen the sector and allow the country to meet its power needs. The goal is to slash dependence on foreign markets now disrupted by the war in the Middle East.
“Renewable energy development is central to that strategy: first as a long term transition priority, as well as a practical way to reduce the country’s exposure to imported fuels impacted by the Middle East conflict,” she noted.
The development of renewable energy from an alternate source of energy to being the primary one has been a thrust of the government for years, but it is only during these extraordinary times caused by the USA-Israel war against Iran, that we are seeing the importance of achieving energy independence, especially from sources that are not only vulnerable to global disruptions, but are also non-renewable and produce emissions that are harmful to the planet and its occupants.
Hopefully the country will now move with more urgency to achieve energy independence through the renewable energy route, aside from strengthening our indigenous sources and supply chains for fuel.*
