Renewable energy investments have grown rapidly in recent years. More solar farms, wind projects, geothermal plants, and other renewable energy facilities are being built across the country. Both local conglomerates and foreign companies are investing heavily in the sector.

Government plans also call for renewable energy to make up a much larger share of the country’s electricity supply over the coming decades. Large areas of land and coastal waters have already been identified for future renewable energy projects.

This shows that the transition to renewable energy is already underway. The key question is whether this rapid growth will benefit the Filipino people as much as it benefits investors.

Because despite the rapid growth of renewable energy, many Filipinos have not yet felt its promised benefits. Electricity prices remain among the highest in Southeast Asia, while consumers continue to pay various charges that help finance investments in the power sector.

Many renewable energy projects are also being built on agricultural land, fishing grounds, forests, and ancestral domains. This has raised concerns about land conversion, loss of livelihoods, environmental damage, and the rights of affected communities. At the same time, ownership of many projects remains concentrated among large corporations and their foreign partners.

If the Philippines has abundant renewable energy, why are so many Filipinos still not benefiting from it?