By PIA-Bohol | 08:29 PM November 03, 2024
Consistent with Bohol Environment Code, Bohol legislators have come up with a follow through, and offers neat incentives for investments in renewable energy (RE), as detailed in the new Clean and Renewable Energy Code of Bohol.
Banking in Bohol’s prime obligation to pursue promotion, development and utilization of indigenous RE resources to supply its industries, the Bohol Sangguniang Panlalawigan churned Provincial Ordinance No. 2023-018 which establishes the framework for the promotion, development and utilization of RE resources as well as paving the way for its increased utilization.
By RE resources, the ordinance means those detailed in Republic Act 9513, which include biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, ocean energy, hydropower, run-of-river hydro and other emerging renewable technologies, as well as the productive use of renewable energy in utilizing RE technologies, applications to improve living conditions.
Set to apply to power generation, transmission, distribution and supply projects in Bohol, the code also applies to agencies and entities involved in issuing permits for RE resource exploration, development and supply, transmission, generation and distribution projects, according to Board Member Jiselle Rae Villamor, author and sponsor of the legislation.
The Code now mandates all provincial promotions to incorporate RE components, just as Boholanos desire to lead in the development and utilization of clean energy consistent with its sustainable development strategy.
With the code, all investors in RE within Bohol, especially those projects that are commissioned after the effectivity of the Code, can be exempt from real property taxes for up to 5 years if they apply for incentives under Provincial Ordinance No 2021-019 or the Bohol Economic Development and Investment Code in the new normal.
Upon approval of their investment by the Bohol Investment Board which issues its certificates of registration, they can enjoy the five year tax holiday effective the following year their investment is approved.
As the ordinance also adheres to the Department Circular 2022-10-0031 which declares all RE resources as preferential dispatch, this has allowed LGUS, distribution utilities, electric cooperatives and power investors to petition the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission and other instrumentalities for all power produced from renewable energy generation facilities as must dispatch in the wholesale Electricity Spot Market considering their contractual obligations with their customers.
This helps consumers get lower power costs as utility distribution companies follow a market-based policy that requires suppliers to source an agreed portion of their energy supply form eligible clean renewable energy sources.
Moreover, consumers who wish to install a hybrid set-up at home, the ordinance says the end user shall only pay for his net-electricity consumption, while any contribution he can send to the grid, he is credited by it.
And as the Clean and Renewable Energy Code as enacted now, attempts to effectively reduce or prevent harmful emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, it promotes the development of bio-mass waste to energy projects as another source of cleaner electricity by addressing issues in waste management.
In fact, the ordinance also finalizes that con stand on the construction of coal power plants within the territorial jurisdiction of Bohol, in line with the province’s no coal policy. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
