The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Climate Change Commission (CCC) are intensifying efforts to advance renewable energy development in the Philippines through two innovative projects: Advancing Renewable Energy Through Floating Solar Photovoltaics (FPV) and Towards Carbon-Neutral Rails: Enhancing Environmental Sustainability of the Philippines National Railways.
Funded under the Korea Green New Deal Trust Fund (KGNDF) by the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, these initiatives aim to bolster the country’s transition to a climate-resilient and sustainable future.
GGGI has partnered with the CCC, the lead policy-making body for climate-related programs in the Philippines, to ensure the seamless integration of climate mainstreaming, stakeholder coordination, and capacity building for international carbon trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The CCC’s pivotal role includes monitoring project alignment with national climate goals and facilitating collaboration with key government agencies, such as the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Transportation (DOTr), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and others.
Key Milestones Paving the Way for Green Growth:
Recent weeks have seen a flurry of productive engagements, underscoring the strong momentum behind these initiatives:
- Forging Partnerships at the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (April 29, 2025):
The “Renewable Energy Integration and Climate Governance” forum at Berjaya Hotel Makati served as a pivotal platform. Representatives from GGGI, CCC, DOE, DENR, DOTr, NIA, and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) converged to foster dialogue on climate mainstreaming, stakeholder coordination, and the exchange of best practices crucial for the GGGI projects. - Strategic Alignment in Coordination Meeting (April 30, 2025):
Hosted at the CCC’s Commissioners’ Room, this critical meeting brought together stakeholders to meticulously outline project scopes, finalize financing plans, and establish robust implementation schedules, solidifying the CCC’s central role in guaranteeing project success. - Exploring Floating Solar Potential with NIA (June 5, 2025):
GGGI and CCC engaged with NIA’s Dam Planning and Design Engineer, Manager Roald Marck Revellame, at the NIA Central Office, to delve into the technical and logistical feasibility of floating solar projects on national irrigation assets. - On-Site Assessment at Bustos Dam (June 10, 2025):
GGGI’s Keshan Samarasinghe, alongside technical personnel from CCC and NIA, conducted a crucial site visit at Bustos Dam. Supported by NIA Region 3 officials—including Division Manager Christian Manalo, Chief Engineering Section Wendell Martin, and Division Manager Placida C. Cordero—this visit provided invaluable insights into the potential for large-scale floating solar photovoltaics deployment. - Building Local Support (June 10, 2025):
Demonstrating a commitment to community engagement, GGGI and CCC paid courtesy visits to the local government units (LGUs) of Bustos and San Rafael, Bulacan, successfully securing their vital support for the proposed floating solar projects. - Collaborating for Incentives with DOE (June 10, 2025):
A highly productive meeting with DOE’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau Director Marissa P. Cerezo provided crucial insights into available fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for renewable energy developers, underscoring the DOE’s enthusiastic backing for these projects. - Advancing Carbon-Neutral Rails (June 10, 2025):
GGGI met with PNR Chairman Michael Ted Macapagal and DOTr Assistant Secretary Michelle S. De Vera to push forward discussions on the transformative carbon-neutral rails initiative, aiming to green the Philippines’ railway system. - Strategic Meeting at CCC (June 2025):
A concluding strategic meeting, presided over by CCC Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz, served to outline the clear path forward for GGGI’s initiatives, solidifying commitments and ensuring seamless project implementation.
Commitment to a Sustainable and Resilient Future:
GGGI is providing comprehensive technical assistance for both projects, encompassing in-depth landscape analysis, extensive stakeholder consultations, rigorous pre-feasibility studies, robust financial modeling, and targeted capacity-building workshops. These concerted efforts are designed to establish a resilient framework for renewable energy integration and significantly enhance the Philippines’ standing in global climate governance.
“We are immensely grateful for the CCC’s exceptional leadership and the proactive collaboration of our national and local stakeholders,” stated Kyung Nam Shin of GGGI. “These projects represent a monumental leap toward a climate-smart Philippines, perfectly aligning with our shared global sustainability goals.”
Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz of the CCC added, “This vital partnership with GGGI significantly strengthens our unwavering commitment to mainstreaming climate action across all sectors. It ensures that these transformative renewable energy projects will contribute directly to a resilient and sustainable future for every Filipino.”
