A report launched on April 16 in the Philippines calls for stronger collaboration between Manila and Beijing on renewable energy to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and nuclear power, according to the renewable energy cooperation report. Filipino renewable energy firms have reported financing challenges, limited technical support, and strained partnerships with some Chinese companies, though knowledge exchange programs are now underway between the two countries.
Current Challenges and Company Experiences
One Renewable Energy Enterprise shared a specific case in the report, stating: “We were working on a joint venture agreement with a Chinese company for a 132-megawatt solar project. We signed an agreement in January 2024, but later on the Chinese partners withdrew without valid reasons, even citing concerns about the West Philippine Sea as an excuse.”
Filipino firms have also voiced concerns about the need to build trust with Chinese partners and access to financing and technical support.
Knowledge Exchange and Regional Context
Despite bilateral tensions, knowledge exchange is occurring between the two countries. Some Filipino students, mostly from Leyte and Nueva Ecija, are now studying renewable energy engineering in China through a program by People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS).
Xiaojun Wang, executive director of PACS, stated on Thursday in Quezon City: “If we don’t act fast enough, coal will come back. Nuclear will come back.”
Local renewable companies depend heavily on China, which is the global leader in clean energy technology. With the Middle East crisis disrupting oil and gas supplies, countries are seeking alternative energy sources. In the Philippines, interest in renewables—specifically rooftop solar—has increased among households concerned about power supply.
Barriers to Renewable Energy Development
Despite the urgent need to accelerate the transition, policy barriers remain. According to the report, unstable bilateral relations between Manila and Beijing, restrictions on foreign investment access, and complicated permitting processes hinder the renewable energy business.
The report noted: “Despite 50 years of diplomatic relations and nearly 100 bilateral agreements between the Philippines and China, Chinese investment in the Philippine renewable energy sector remains significantly underleveraged — below 5% compared to 20%+ in other ASEAN nations.”
Opportunities and Policy Framework
The report identified opportunities in increasing deployment of rooftop solar, microgrids, solar home systems, solar charging stations, and distributed solar photovoltaic and energy storage in on-grid areas.
The Philippines targets achieving a 35% share of renewable energy in the national energy mix by 2030. Renewables currently account for 25.4% of gross energy generation, according to the report.
Ping Mendoza, president of the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance, said on Thursday that the clean energy transition is the “biggest wealth creation opportunity we have.”
In 2025, research provider BloombergNEF ranked the Philippines as the fourth most attractive emerging market for renewable energy. Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s report stated: “[T]he Philippines maintains one of the most comprehensive renewable policy frameworks in the region, pairing auctions, net metering and fiscal incentives with rising electricity demand.”
The Philippines drew between US$2.6 billion and US$3.4 billion from 2015 to 2024 in clean energy investments, according to the report.
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