“GREEN” bonds are said to be the next frontier for renewable energy in the country.

PURE ENERGY Holdings Corp. said renewable energy (RE) developers along with banks and investment firms should look at issuing ”green” bonds to finance their projects amid growing demand for renewables in the Philippines.

“We are closely monitoring the potential of green bonds in financing renewable energy projects in the country. Renewable energy is a sound and sustainable alternative energy source especially with the rise of oil prices due to geopolitical tensions and a weaker peso,” said Dexter Y. Tiu, chief executive officer of Pure Energy, in a statement.

Pure Energy said the issuance of green bonds would bolster private sector funding of local renewable energy projects. He noted demand for these securities should rise once the Securities and Exchange Commission issues guidelines for their issuance.

The investment holding company said green bonds posted strong growth in the international market last year with an issuance record of $157 billion. These bonds are an investment opportunity for the Philippines despite cost and demand issues that some investors are unwilling to take, it added.

“Investors should look past numbers and examine closely their investments. Investing in green bonds is not just profitable but proves to be a great investment in the long-run as it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions through supporting RE projects. While green bonds are still at its early stage in the country, I am optimistic that local investors will see it as a growing asset and tap this potential investment,” Mr. Tiu said.

He called green bonds as the next frontier for renewable energy in the country, but admitted that the sector has a long way to go to convince investors and the public to shift to sustainable energy.

“The continuous decline of RE prices enables the RE sector to gain more traction but shifting to sustainable energy remains to be a challenge that we are proud to advocate for. We continue to be positive that issuance of green bonds will become the future of renewable energy financing in the Philippines marked by a stable bond market,” Mr. Tiu said.

Pure Energy said it was looking to acquire assets and “develop natural resources that are sustainable, and be a basic provider for the needs of the community.”

Aside from renewable energy, the company is into bulk water services and distribution to various cities, municipalities and communities. — Victor V. Saulon

An energy company executive said the government’s move to issue guidelines for the so-called green bonds could help fund renewable-energy (RE) projects in the country.

Dexter Tiu, CEO of Pure Energy Holdings Corp., said demand for the green bonds might rise once the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sets out the guidelines for its issuance.

“We are closely monitoring the potential of green bonds in financing renewable-energy projects in the country. Renewable energy is a sound and sustainable alternative energy source, especially with the rise of oil prices due to geopolitical tensions and a weaker peso,” Tiu said.

“Investors should look past numbers and examine closely their investments. Investing in green bonds is not just profitable, but proves to be a great investment in the long-run as it helps reduce greenhouse-gas emissions through supporting RE projects. While green bonds are still at its early stage in the country, I am optimistic that local investors will see it as a growing asset and tap this potential investment,” Tiu said.

Tiu said the growing demand for RE projects in the local market is good for banks, investment companies and industry players to consider the green-bond market as the next frontier for RE in the country.

The sector has a long way to go to convince investors and the general public alike to shift to sustainable energy, he said.

“The continuous decline of RE prices enables the RE sector to gain more traction. Shifting to sustainable energy remains to be a challenge that we are proud to advocate for. We continue to be positive that issuance of green bonds will become the future of RE financing in the Philippines marked by a stable bond market,” Tiu said.

Tiu is leading an investment holding company that aims to acquire assets and is currently engaged in RE and bulk-water services and or distribution to various cities, municipalities and communities in the Philippines.

At the moment, the guidelines for the issuance of the Asean Green Bonds is still with the SEC.

According to the guidelines, a green bond can be considered as such if its proceeds will be used to finance new or existing green projects, which should comply with the standards set by a body. RE only falls in one of the categories of a green project, which may involve developments such has pollution prevention and control, biodiversity conservation, climate- change adoption, or green buildings that meet certain recognized standards or certification.

“All designated green projects must provide clear environmental benefits, which will be assessed and, where feasible, quantified by issuer,” Section 7 of the SEC’s Asean Green Bond guidelines states.

PURE Energy Holdings Corporation (PEHC) is confident in promoting renewable energy as an alternative source of electricity in response to the growing worldwide concern about climate change and its causes.

Under the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), the Department of Energy (DoE) targeted 15,304 megawatts of renewable energy capacity into the Philippines’ power system until 2030. The RPS aims to restore the share of renewable energy to the country’s energy mix.

“Climate change is a reality requiring cooperation from the energy sector to tap alternative sources of electricity,” says Dexter Y. Tiu, CEO of Pure Energy Holdings Corporation. “These energy sources must be sustainable for its benefits to be felt by the next generation,” he added.

Despite coal being the dominant energy source in the country as of the end of 2017, it is closely succeeded by renewable energy sources, with a share of 35.4% and 31.10% respectively in the total installed capacity of 22,728 MW. Tiu believes bigger investments in RE will yield good results in the long-run through the gradual reduction of the local carbon footprint

“The Paris climate accord is now two-years-old and the agreement emphasizes the need for sustainable development which can be made possible by investing in renewable energy. We see many opportunities for renewable energy in the Philippines due to an abundance of natural resources.”Tiu said.

PEHC is committed to providing clean, sustainable and low-impact renewable energy. Through its subsidiaries, Pure Energy is involved in hydropower, geothermal, and solar energy.

Repower Energy Development Corporation (REDC) utilizes run-of-river hydropower plants instead of the traditional large hydropower and pump storage plants. The run-of-river (ROR) hydropower plants require less water storage since it utilizes river flows to produce electricity in communities. The company has 3 operating hydropower plants and another 5 hydropower plants are under construction. The 5 plants are targeted to be completed between 2018-2020. It has a portfolio of over 500 MW in development.

Pure Geothermal Inc. (PGI) develops and operates brownfield geothermal energy projects to cater to the nation’s increasing demand for electrical power. Its geothermal project is south of the renowned Tongonan geothermal field, and the area has previously been drilled and flowed steam. Plans are underway to put up modular geothermal power units to harness the first phase 25 MW capacity, with a view of utilizing the full 110 MW geothermal resource in the area.

Recently, Just Solar Corporation acquired majority stakes in three solar farms in Central Luzon with a combined capacity of 13.86MW and plans are underway to increase its capacity to electrify local communities in the region. Development activities are also in full swing to secure and electrify underserved areas held by some Electric Cooperatives.

“In line with our commitment to provide clean, sustainable and low-cost renewable energy, we continue to expand our reach and encourage the usage of renewable energy,” Tiu added.

Pure Energy Holdings Corporation (PEHC) is an investment holding company aiming to strategically acquire assets, develop natural resources that are sustainable, and be a basic provider for the needs of the community. It is currently engaged in renewable energy and bulk water services and or distribution to various Cities, Municipalities, and communities in the Philippines. (RONDA Balita Online News)