DOE, NIA ink pact for wider renewable energy access

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on Thursday inked a memorandum of agreement to provide wider access to renewable energy in the country, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said. 

Under the agreement, the DOE will utilize existing and under construction NIA irrigation facilities, including areas identified and listed for future irrigation development projects, for public consumption without compromising latter's operations.

The agreement was signed by Undersecretary Sharon Garin and Director Marissa Cerezo for the DOE and Engr. Eduardo Eddie Guillen for NIA, with Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Dominic Guevara present. 

"The agreement between DOE and NIA signified a crucial step forward in the pursuit of water security and sustainable resource management, which is aligned with the goals outlined in Executive Order No. 22, series of 2023," the PCO statement read.

The agreement also formalized the two agencies’ partnership to enhance the countrywide approach in developing the renewable energy resources in line with the nation’s goals to generate 35% of power from renewable energy sources by 2030 and 50% by 2040. 

"As part of the strategic initiative, NIA’s irrigation water will not only help the agency to expand economically and generate additional fund for the operation and maintenance of its irrigation facilities while allowing the DOE to provide the public with better access to clean, reasonably priced energy source," PCO added.—Llanesca Panti/AOL, GMA Integrated News