BY CARLA P. GOMEZ
Monday, July 1, 2019

Former Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said that globally countries are moving towards renewable energy to save the planet from climate change, but there are realities that must be faced.

“If there is available geothermal power that would be the very best source of energy, since wind, solar, all of these other renewable energies are not qualified for base load,” said Benitez, in an interview at the inauguration of the Negros Occidental provincial government officials at the Capitol grounds Saturday.

A base load power  plant provides continuous supply of  electricity throughout the year. Solar power cannot be provide electricity at night, said Benitez, who is set to be the economic consultant of Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.

Until a solution that will provide a consistent source of energy is found, the technology of renewable energy will have to be augmented or complemented with a high breed solution, he said.

Benitez said that is why he has asked for a power summit to engage stakeholders in “the realities on the ground that we must face.”

“If there is an alternative that will answer base load requirements I’m more than willing to go for it instead of coal. …until somebody tells me there is no alternative, then we have to bite the bullet,” he added.

Germany has already announced that in the next 20 years they will move 100 percent to renewable energy, he said.

Negros Occidental should also have a plan that if it goes coal, it will only be a temporary solution, he said.

“It’s not because I’m for it (coal), it’s just what choice do we have?” Benitez added.*