February, 05 2025

In an ongoing effort to promote renewable energy (RE) in Butuan City, WWF-Philippines has collaborated with Preferred Energy, Inc. (PEI), a non-profit consulting firm. This partnership aims to develop RE pilot projects as outlined in the Butuan City Energy Development Plan (BEDP) for the years 2023-2050. 

The BEDP was formulated through a multisectoral participative process led by the LGU under the mentorship of the academe (UP EEEIRDFI) which maps out a strategy aimed at achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 positioning Butuan as a leader in sustainable development. Through the BEDP, Butuan can influence the coal-dominated Mindanao grid in two ways -- it reduces the demand of the Distribution Utility due to its EE&C measures, and the DU's demand will be supplied from embedded and distributed generation, according to Prof. Wali del Mundo, lead consultant from UP Triple E.

A series of activities have been held, including a recent workshop focused on financing RE pilot projects identified by the Technical Working Group, which took place from October 17 to 18, 2024, at the Almond Inland Hotel and Resort.

“We are really excited and are looking forward to the future of renewable energy in Butuan. This project will serve as a template for how other cities across the Philippines can develop their renewable energy infrastructure,” Che Agot, Project Manager of the FinRE-Butuan Project, said.

Prior to the workshop, a hybrid meeting was convened on October 10, 2024. This meeting included representatives from WWF-Philippines and the City Planning team via Zoom, alongside PEI consultants who met with Mayor Lagnada in Makati. The purpose of this meeting was to clarify the workshop's scope, identify required datasets, and outline pre-work necessities, despite these topics being discussed during the inception meeting on July 30, 2024.

Following the approval of the BEDP on November 21, 2024 by the Power Advisory Board and on December 20 by the Local Development Council, the City Planning and Development Department (CPDD), acting as the secretariat for the Energy Council,  has finalized the technical document for the BEDP. The BEDP was unanimously approved by the members of the 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod during their 29th regular session on 30 July 2024.

While awaiting the formalization, WWF-Philippines is utilizing this time to familiarize the Technical Working Group (TWG) with the WWF-PEI engagement, which aims to support the City Government of Butuan in achieving financing goals for 3 RE pilot projects: 1 solar, 1 biomass, and, EV for public transport.

The July 30 inception meeting marked a significant milestone for the FinRE project, with the City Planning Department hosting and organizing the event. The agenda laid out the concepts and tentative program prepared by the project manager, followed by the actual proceedings as organized by the secretariat.

“We greatly appreciate the continuous and unwavering support that the Butuan Government has put into making this project as successful as it has been so far. In the long run, it will be all Butuanons and Mindanaons who will benefit from a clean and low-carbon future,” Agot said.

The main objective of the inception meeting was to introduce PEI to the TWG and the Energy Council, as well as to inform them of the upcoming activities aligned with the financing goals for the BEDP pilot RE projects.
This series of engagements signifies a concerted effort towards establishing sustainable energy solutions in Butuan City, reinforcing WWF's commitment to environmental stewardship through innovative partnerships and community collaboration.