By Tessa R. Salazar
The Department of Energy (DOE) recently declared that “the Philippines is open for clean energy business. We are positioned to lead in sustainable innovation and we invite you to lead with us.”
Addressing investors, partners, and the public during the Energy Smart Forum 2025 in Dusit Thani Manila, DOE Undersecretary Mylene C. Capongcol emphasized the importance of private-public partnerships, stating that the energy transition is not solely the government’s responsibility but a “whole-of-nation undertaking” requiring the active participation of the private sector, development partners, and engaged consumers. She noted the positive results already emerging from this collaborative approach.
The event was posted Aug. 28 at the Department of Energy Facebook page.
Capongcol highlighted the significant growth of the Philippine clean energy sector, citing the influx of global developers bringing their expertise in solar, wind, and battery storage, local firms innovating with microgrids for off-grid solutions, and financing institutions expanding support through green bonds and blended finance mechanisms.
To further encourage this investment and innovation, Capongcol assured investors, partners, and the public that the DOE will maintain a clear and investment-friendly policy environment, aligned with the Philippine Energy Plan, to sustain momentum towards affordable energy access, a reliable power system, and a clean, sustainable energy future for all Filipinos.
At the opening session of the 15th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in Busan, South Korea, DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara underscored the Philippines’ strong commitment to stand with APEC partners in advancing clean energy, modernizing infrastructure, and building resilient systems that will drive a shared future. As one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, the Asia-Pacific is at the heart of global transformation. For the Philippines, this calls for bold policies and programs that expand renewable energy, strengthen market transparency, and foster innovation, ensuring that economic growth remains sustainable, inclusive, and equitable. With a young, skilled, and dynamic workforce, the Philippines is poised to contribute meaningfully to this collective momentum.
Guevara emphasized that the Philippines’ vision is clear: Through collaboration and shared purpose, the region can shape an Asia-Pacific that is more connected, resilient, and sustainable. The Philippines stands ready to work hand-in-hand with APEC economies to build a future where opportunity thrives, innovation flourishes, and sustainability defines the path forward.
TessDrive’s appeal to proponents of renewable energy sources: While renewable energy systems using solar, wind, battery storage, and microgrids offer significant environmental benefits over fossil fuels, they still have the potential to create adverse environmental impact, including land use for large solar and wind farms, toxic materials and waste in solar panels and batteries, and environmental changes from offshore wind farms. Battery manufacturing also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and potential water and metal pollution, and the long lifespan and disposal of components present challenges.
Mitigating ecological impact of solar power facilities
If we may suggest, please build solar panels over parking lot rooftops and canopies instead of clearing more woodland or forested areas to establish solar power facilities. This would be to minimize the conflict between renewable energy goals and ecosystem preservation, avoiding habitat loss and disruption of wildlife. Through technological innovations and careful site determination, we can strike an ecological balance.
Solar carports help mitigate the urban heat island effect and has a dual-use solution: Converting sunlight into electricity to power building systems like lights and EV chargers while also protecting vehicles and people from the elements, such as providing shade and protection from sun and weather. This approach is an effective way for businesses to save on cooling costs and contribute to renewable energy without sacrificing valuable natural land or farm land or even habitat loss.
Windmill blades deadly to birds, bats
The report, “Environmental Impacts of Wind-Energy Projects,” authored by the National Research Council of the National Academies Press (created to publish reports issued by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine) wrote: “At regional to global scales, the effects of wind energy on the environment often are considered to be positive, through the production of renewable energy and the potential displacement of mining activities, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with nonrenewable energy sources. However, wind-energy facilities have been demonstrated to kill birds and bats and there is evidence that wind-energy development also can result in the loss of habitat for some species. To the extent that we understand how, when, and where wind-energy development most adversely affects organisms and their habitat, it will be possible to mitigate future impacts through careful siting decisions (https://doi.org/10.17226/11935). The report expounds that “wind turbines cause fatalities of birds and bats through collision, most likely with the turbine blades. Species differ in their vulnerability to collision, in the likelihood that fatalities will have large-scale cumulative impacts on biotic communities, and in the extent to which their fatalities are discovered and publicized.”
Toxicity of batteries
Solar panels and batteries can contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, selenium, chromium, and arsenic. When these devices are improperly manufactured and/or disposed of, these materials can leach into the environment, contaminating soil and groundwater. While solar panels offer clean energy benefits, their increasing volume of end-of-life waste poses a significant environmental hazard if not properly managed and recycled, which is a growing but still underdeveloped field.
We at TessDrive recognize the immense potential of renewable energies to supply communities with clean, sustainable, and affordable power. But, just like every other technology, there are always two sides to them. By carefully considering their environmental effects as much as their benefits to human populations, a stable balance can be achieved—one that benefits the general public as well as the natural ecosystems that we also depend on for our survival.