PHL infra program, Ambisyon Natin 2040 need 43,000MW –DoE

The Duterte administration's ambitious infrastructure program and the 25-year long-term vision for development planning will have a combined energy requirement of 43,000 megawatts, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said on Tuesday.

"The train won't run, the ladders will not work without energy. Energy is needed to support all of these infrastructure and of all these plans—rails, subways, port developments, and airports for developments," Cusi said during the second round of the Dutertenomics Forum in Pasay City.

"From 2016 to 2030, what is needed is something 17,300 MW and to support the Ambisyon 2040 we need additional power of something like 26,000 MW from 2030 to 2040, so total of 43,000 MW from 2016 to 2040 in support of these projects," he said.

The Energy chief said that around $55 billion is required for the first 17,000MW and around $70 to $80 billion for another 26,000MW.

"Roughly, these power plants requirements will be coming from private sector," Cusi said.

"The DOE's mandate is to create an environment. We do not build power plants. We create a policy to ensure energy reliability, affordable electricity, and to protect the public interest," he said.

Along with allotting P8.2 trillion to infrastructure development throughout his term, President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order adopting Ambisyon Natin 2040, the National Economic and Development Authority's (NEDA) 25-year plan to wipe out poverty and hunger in the Philippines. — BM, GMA News