Digital solutions platform Globe hopes to expand its use of clean energy across its operations as it looks forward to shifting more critical infrastructure to renewables once allowed under the law and its implementing rules.
This is part of Globe’s strategy toward achieving Net Zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 through network decarbonization across the country.
Currently, under the phased implementation of the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), only infrastructures with high-energy utilization– those consuming at least 100kW or more, for the preceding twelve (12) months— are allowed to choose which electricity supplier to source power from, such as Renewable Energy Suppliers, under Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9136.
Globe hopes to see amendments to the IRR that will accelerate the timeline for lowering the threshold earlier than 2023, even on a voluntary basis, so that buildings and other infrastructure consuming between 10 and 99 kWh would be granted the ability to choose their preferred energy producer, in this case, a producer of renewable energy.
To complement this, Globe also calls for the commercial availability of renewable energy infrastructure in Mindanao that will enable massive adoption of clean power sources across the country.
This will allow Globe to tap clean power sources in powering its cell sites and other low-energy utilization infrastructure in more cities and municipalities.
Such adjustments will also give other major enterprises and MSMEs the option to shift to clean energy sources for their infrastructure and operations. MSMEs account for 99.51 percent of businesses, according to data released by the Department of Trade Industry on 2020 MSME Statistics.
A greater shift to renewables will boost demand for clean energy sources, potentially making it more affordable.
“We would like the government to consider moving forward to amend the IRR of the EPIRA law so we can expand our use of renewable energy. This will lead to wider adoption of clean energy sources not just in our business but other industries as well. Ultimately, this will help reduce the country’s carbon footprint in the hope of achieving our decarbonization targets in 2030,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP Group Corporate Communications Officer.
Expansive use of renewable energy in the country will radically cleanse the Philippines’ energy mix, which continues to be dominated by fossil fuels.
Under the Department of Energy’s amended Philippine Energy Plan released last year, the country aims for 35 percent renewable energy in the mix by 2030, and 50 percent by 2040. As of 2020, renewables had a share of 29.02 percent in terms of installed capacity by fuel, accounting for an output of 7,617 megawatts out of a total of 26,250 MW.
“If more enterprises are able to adopt renewables for their operations, the business sector can potentially contribute more to reducing our carbon emissions and help the environment,” Crisanto said.
As it expands use of renewables, Globe also hopes the government would enhance incentives it offers for clean energy use, such as tax exemptions, to entice more companies to take on this shift.
Globe has been at the forefront of pushing for a sustainable way of doing business. Among its key interventions is to use renewable energy in its facilities, joining the pioneers in the global telecommunications industry.
As of January this year, it has shifted 14 key facilities to renewable energy, among these are infrastructure with high-energy utilization in Quezon City, Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Taguig, Cavite, Tarlac, and Cebu.
Since 2014, Globe has also deployed green solutions across its network such as fuel cell systems, direct current and DC-Hybrid generators, lithium-Ion batteries, and free cooling systems in its network. As of year-end 2021, Globe has deployed over 8,500 green solutions. These solutions reduce diesel fuel consumption, emit lower carbon emissions, and provide energy-efficient cooling to facility equipment.
Its network decarbonization strategy is aligned with its commitment to uphold the historic Paris Agreement and contribute to the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to cut carbon emissions by 75% in 2030.
Globe is the first and only publicly-listed company in the Philippines to commit to science-based targets aligned with the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees celsius compared to pre-industrial levels to prevent catastrophic global warming.
