The Access to Sustainable Energy Programme-Clean Energy Living Laboratories (ASEP-CELLs) project completed its first Steering Committee meeting last August 2, 2019 at the John Gokongwei School of Management, Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

Representatives of Ateneo School of Government, Manila Observatory, ICLEI-SEAS, Xavier University and the University of San Carlos shared their respective research progress and operational milestones since the Inception Workshop last March 2019.

Dr. Rogelio Go of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro presents the initial outputs of its energy mapping study. As part of the University‘s commitment towards inclusivity, it will partner with the local government unit and communities of Misamis Oriental to complete its renewable energy research studies for ASEP-CELLs.

A key discussion among partners was to share networks for stronger partnership with local government units, regional government agencies and communities. This is to ensure sustainability of the think-tank’s research management, capacity-building and advocacy investments.

Mr. Giovanni Serritella, Program Manager of the European Union to the Philippines recommends for ASEP-CELLs to work in close collaboration with DOE to ensure synergy of efforts in meeting the agency’s energy targets by 2030. The European Union is the donor of ASEP-CELLs, contributing € 3.89 million for the three-year project.

High level officials such as Dr. Josef T. Yap, Senior Technical Advisor of ASEP-CELLs; Dr. Antonio G. M. La Viña, Executive Director of Manila Observatory; Victorino Aquitania, Regional Director of ICLEI-SEAS; Dr. Dexter S. Lo of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro and Dr. Evelyn Taboada of University of San Carlos also reinforced commitment to pool technical skills to better assist the Department of Energy (DOE) and the European Union in achieving 100% rural electrification through renewable energy, increasing the share of renewable energy in the Philippines’ energy mix, and promoting energy efficiency towards sustainable and inclusive growth.