The Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP) was officially launched at the EU-Philippines Meeting on Energy last October 7, 2016 at the Makati Shangri-La. Through ASEP, the EU has allocated a grant of over 3 billion pesos to assist the Government of the Philippines to meet its rural electrification targets by means of renewable energy, and to promote energy efficiency. The EU – Philippines M
eeting on Energy is a high-level forum for exchange on latest topics and trends in the energy sector. It is hosted by the Energy Secretary of the Philippines and the Ambassador of the European Union to the Philippines. Since 2012, the meeting has set the stage for a public energy sector dialogue between EU and Philippine policy-makers, administrators, private sector and civil society. As the fourth meeting since 2012, the event focused on how we can ensure “Electricity for a Better Life“. It was participated by a total of 170 representatives from various sectors, namely: the EU Delegation, ambassadors and heads of mission; national government agencies; industry players (ECs, utility associations, QTPs, NPPs); private sector (business, energy innovators, suppliers); development partners; banks & financial institutions; academe; civil society organizations, and the press/media. In the context of global and regional clean energy market development, the participants discussed sustainable ways of providing electricity for socio-economic development to underserved and poor households in the Philippines. An expert panel debated on viable business models and success factors for the provision of basic electricity services from renewable energy sources to remote and dispersed off-grid areas. Topics discussed in previous meetings included the potential to replicate EU experience on renewable energy promotion in the Philippines (2012); energy efficiency and possibilities to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, while increasing jobs (2013) and ways to secure a sustainable and competitive energy future (2015).
