Putting the spotlight on the emerging renewable energy sector in the Philippines, British Chamber of Commerce Philippines, in partnership with Shell Energy Philippines Inc. (SEPH) and with Manila Bulletin as its media partner, successfully held its forum in clean energy transition titled, “Powering Progress: A Look into the Philippine Clean Energy Transition” in the Colliers Head Office in Makati City, last Sept. 18, 2025.
SEPH President and Chief Executive Officer Bernd Krukenberg outlined the importance of public-private partnership in the Philippines’ energy sector, noting that, “The Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) has seen strong private sector participation, with over 9,400 MW of renewable energy capacity subscribed in its latest round.”
Meanwhile, Department of Energy Solar Energy Management Division Chief Hon. Edward Neri also emphasized that the ties between the private and public sectors are fundamental to reaching the National Renewable Energy Program 2020-2040 targets of renewable energy share in the power generation mix reaching 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.
“It’s highly favorable and rapidly evolving, that’s how I describe the investment climate in the Philippines. Maybe it was driven by the ambitious targets of the country…second is the strong government support to the investors in terms of policy. And, of course, we evidently see the increase in investor confidence,” said Neri during the panel discussion.
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General for Finance and Administration Hon. Maria Veronica Magsino also highlighted the increasing utilization of renewable energy (solar and biomass) among enterprises within PEZA ecozones, with a combined total kWp of 223,584.83 accounting for 112 enterprises in both public and private ecozones.
Krukenberg also shared milestones in Shell Energy Philippines’ role to ensure reliable energy supply around the world, owning and operating pipelines that deliver 20% of the UK’s gas supplies, ranking among the top three natural gas marketers in North America for over 10 years, selling 10.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, and acquiring Nature Energy, Europe’s largest renewable natural gas producer.
Additionally, the Shell President and CEO also emphasized the company’s commitment to being a strategic partner for businesses in a changing market, assisting in their sustainability goals, long-term power needs, and investment plans in energy productivity, citing opportunities for businesses in the Philippines: “PH business entering Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to secure long-term renewable energy supply helps them to meet their sustainability goals and manage their costs.
Overall, the British business community remains steadfast in supporting the Philippines’ clean energy transition and renewable energy development, with BCCP Vice Chairman Chris Nelson stating, “Clean energy has been a significant priority of the Philippines and it is important to recognize that the UK is one of the leading countries in this area. This allows more partnerships to thrive, both in terms of G2G approach or through the public-private collaboration to which we have seen great progress and also hope to attract long-term investors in the sector.”
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