THE Department of Energy (DOE) said it has been receiving a big number of application to develop renewable-energy (RE) sources in the country, Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr. said during a dialogue with the media.

Layug said there are 384 pending RE applications, 191 of them for the development of run-off river hydropower plant.

The DOE has also awarded 236 projects but most are at the pre-project stage. The projects awarded include 124 run-off river hydro power, 46 wind power and 40 biomass energy.

The undersecretary also said there are 15 areas which have been identified as host for the Philippine energy contracting round where 12 are offshore and three are on-shore.

Layug said when the projects are able to produce energy, it would definitely help address the impending power shortage that the country is reported to experience by 2013.

He said that private partners and companies have to comply with all the requirements set by law, including the conduct of free and prior informed consent before the commencement of any activity to develop RE sources.

(Liza T. Agoot)