Electricity in Philippines in 2023/2024

As of the period from July 2023 to June 2024, the state of electricity consumption in the Philippines is heavily dominated by fossil energy sources. More than three-quarters of the country's electricity, at around 78%, comes from fossil fuels, with coal alone accounting for about 62%. Low-carbon or clean energy sources contribute approximately 22% of the total electricity production. Among these, geothermal and hydropower are the prominent sources of low-emission energy, providing almost 9% each. Solar and wind energy, though utilized, together contribute only about 4% of the electricity supply, indicating significant room for growth in these sectors to transition towards cleaner energy solutions.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, the Philippines can draw inspiration from countries that have successfully integrated clean energy solutions into their electricity mix. For instance, Denmark has achieved a remarkable 59% of its electricity from wind power, illustrating the potential of harnessing wind energy even in smaller nations. Additionally, countries like Greece and Chile have made significant strides with solar energy, each generating more than a fifth of their electricity from this sustainable source. Furthermore, embracing nuclear power can be a robust solution for the Philippines given the experience of countries like France, which generates an impressive 68% of its electricity from nuclear energy. This diversified approach to energy generation can help mitigate the impacts of fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and air pollution.

History

Historically, the Philippines has seen various changes in its low-carbon electricity generation. In the late 1980s and 1990s, geothermal and hydropower saw some growth, with geothermal increasing by 1.7 TWh in 1998 and hydropower experiencing both growth and decline over different years. By the early 2000s, geothermal energy experienced a slight reduction, while hydropower continued to fluctuate. In 2016, solar energy began contributing noticeably with a 1 TWh increase. Significant growth in hydropower occurred in 2011 and 2021 with 1.9 TWh and 2 TWh increases, respectively. However, geothermal faced a setback in 2024 with a decline of 1.5 TWh, highlighting the need for a stable and diversified low-carbon strategy. Encouraging further investment and development in both more established and emerging low-carbon technologies can solidify the Philippines’ path towards a cleaner and more sustainable electricity landscape.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources