Energy

The prevailing narrative of the Philippines’ energy sector in recent years has centred around energy security concerns and the challenge of meeting growing demand. Efforts to realign the energy sector were ramped up during 2017 with the launch of reforms targeting investment and the promotion of efficiency. Modifications to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 have come at a critical juncture for the Philippines, as robust economic growth has outpaced the sector’s capacity to meet surging demand. Due to the imminent exhaustion of the country’s gas fields, dependence on imports of hydrocarbons has grown, worsening the current account deficit. In addition to falling reserves, the cost of electricity is also a major concern. This chapter contains an interview with Alfonso Cusi, Secretary of Energy.