Solutions:

Rotating brownouts technically known as Manual Load Dropping are implemented here
in the Philippines to maintain the integrity of the power system so that it would not be depleted
and for every town or cities would have fair share of available electricity supply. For the
Philippines, though this itself is a problem, rotating brownouts has been one of the temporary
solutions to power shortage in the country. And as this pressing problem affects the growth of a
developing country, a more reliable and permanent solution is what the Philippines need and
that’s when renewable energy comes into play.

As Philippines is home to rich natural resources, the idea of using renewable sources of
energy as a solution to this pressing problem of power shortage in the country is not new and is
in fact being implemented in the current Duterte administration. Renewable energy is the
energy that is generated from natural sources such as water, geothermal heat, wind, sunlight,
and biomass. Currently, the total energy consumption of the Philippines that comes from
renewable energy is at over 47%.

An ambitious plan targeted to be achieved on 2030 is at 15.3 GW renewable power

capacity and more than 20 GW by 2040. This plan is incorporated in the National Renewable
Energy Program (NREP) implemented by the Department of Energy (DoE). In the NREP DoE
intends to increase geothermal capacity by 75% (2027), increase hydropower capacity by
160% (2023), Deliver additional 277 MW biomass power capacity (achieved in 2015), add
additional 2,345 MW wind power capacity (2022), and develop an ocean energy facility (2025).

These are the concrete solutions of the Philippine government to combat not only the
problem in power supply as the Malampaya gas field is expected to be completely exhausted in
the first quarter of 2027 which supplies 30% of Luzon’s energy consumption, but to have a
sustainable and greener energy source to combat global warming as well. Furthermore, the
NREP will make energy in the Philippines more affordable as it is currently among the highest
prices of electricity costs in South-East Asia. But as a student. Though small, we can all help
with this pressing problem of power shortage by using it efficiently. DO not waste precious
energy and be mindful of our own actions because even as individuals, collectively these small
actions can make the Earth a better place to live in.