Philippine Imports & Exports

Just offer to pay in Yuan, and promise to keep doing so.

Iran has already said it will let such shipments through.

@PalawOne

FYI there are no Philippine flagged oil tankers operating internationally. However:

- Diplomatic framing: By asking Iran to ensure safe passage for “Philippine‑flagged vessels,” Manila is signaling that any ship carrying oil bound for the Philippines should be treated as protected, regardless of actual registry. 

- Legal optics: International maritime law gives flag states responsibility for their vessels. Invoking the Philippine flag emphasizes sovereignty and avoids dependence on foreign protection. 

- Practical reality: In practice, oil shipments arrive on foreign‑flagged tankers chartered by Philippine refiners or traders. 

@PalawOne

“Given their stated readiness to cooperate, we are highly optimistic about a favorable outcome,” added Castro.

Claire do you think that the 'Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement' (EDCA) recently announced with Mr T's government will engender a favourable audience with the Iran regime? What will Fred's Chinese friends have to say?

Iran allows safe passage for PH ships through Strait of Hormuz

By John Sitchon  Apr 2, 2026 6:24 PM PHT

https://www.rappler.com/world/middle-east/iran-safe-passage-filipinos-strait-of-hormuz/

1. Iran allows safe passage for PH ships through Strait of Hormuz

1. 'Building on recent talks, we reached a positive understanding on the safety of our seafarers and the security of our energy supply,' Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro says

CEBU, Philippines – Iran will allow the “safe, unhindered, and expeditious passage” of all Philippine vessels, energy sources, and Filipino seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro confirmed this after a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday, April 2.

“Building on recent talks, we reached a positive understanding on the safety of our seafarers and the security of our energy supply. Grateful for the warm spirit of cooperation,” Lazaro said in a statement on the same day.

Prior to their phone conversation, Lazaro and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin met with Iranian Ambassador to the Philippines Yousef Esmaeilzadeh on Wednesday, April 1, to ask Iran to formally designate the Philippines as a “non-hostile country.”

Since the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran, hostilities have continued to escalate, with the Strait of Hormuz becoming a major flashpoint. Iran controls passage through the strait.

About a fifth of the world’s total oil consumption passes through the strait. The Philippines, like most of Asia, sources much of its oil from the Middle East.

On Thursday, April 2, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced that around 20,000 seafarers, including port workers and offshore crews, are stranded on ships unable to exit through the Strait of Hormuz.

“While the disruption to global trade is significant, IMO’s primary concern remains the humanitarian and safety implications for seafarers on board ships operating in the area,” their statement read.

According to Lazaro, both Iran and the Philippines reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining bilateral relations and peace through continued dialogue and diplomacy.

--

LIVE UPDATES:

Impact of Middle East crisis on the Philippines

DEVELOPING / UPDATED 1 hour ago

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/impact-energy-fuel-prices-transport-economy-ofws-agriculture-trade-middle-east-crisis-2026/

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The grim consequences of the United States and Israel’s war on Iran have been felt far and wide, including in the Philippines, a nation heavily dependent on the Middle East for oil.

A state of national energy emergency is in effect as domestic fuel prices keep soaring to new record highs.

Pressure is mounting across many industries, from transportation and logistics to trade and agriculture.

Workers and ordinary consumers are feeling the swift — and severe — fallout from the conflict.

The safety and livelihood of over 2 million Filipinos in the Middle East are at risk as well.

More than 3,000 of them have been able to come home as the Philippine government conducts repatriation, but they now face an uncertain future.

On this page, we bring you the latest news, photos, videos, and insights on the impact of the Middle East crisis on the Philippines, as well as the big developments in the war.

"Manila asks Iran to ensure safe passage for Philippine-flagged ships, oil shipments"
By Bea Cupin April 1st, 2026 7:17 PM https://www.rappler.com/philippines/request-iran-designate-non-hostile-country-passage-strait-hormuz/


Manila asks Iran to ensure safe passage for Philippine-flagged ships, oil shipments
- @PalawOne

The Philippines is also buying from Russia.

Unconfirmed reports say the Iranians allowed shipments because the Philippines agreed to buy in Yuan.

@Fred

Yes, we have heard that they must pay in yuan. To obtain yuan, they must exchange western currency to get yuan, implying that this puts pressure on the US dollar, facilitating its crash as the reserve currency. As an engineer I am familiar with the term "order of magnitude". Let's say Iran charges a toll of 2.5 million dollars, as indicated in press report, in yuan equivalent,  to pass the strait. This number 2.5 x 10^6 is in millions. To influence US dollar reserve status you need it to be in trillions or 10^12 or 6 orders of magnitude higher. Once a value is more than 1 order of magnitude of order away (1/10), it is insignificant so this charge is a trivial blip on dollar status. It is merely an inconvenience to the Philippines traders of crude and refined products. To become a significant effect on the dollar would require hundreds of billions of dollars mìnimum or up to trillions in Pesos from Philippines traders and tolls will just not add up to that number. Iran will use the yuan to buy chinese military hardware. They will not have the value in reserve currency but they can  buy cheap Chinese products from Ali express I suppose.

This is a temporary band aid, although positive. It remain to see when the straights will be totally open, but  who knows in what time frame.

There about 100 Philippine flagged vessels worldwide which approximately 15 to 17 are tankers. These tankers are waiting permission to leave and their oil is from Saudi, Kuwait & Qatar.

It's amazing to me that Iran is missile attacking these countries but allowing them to sell oil and pass through. It appears non of the oil is from Iran.

As an apparent lapdog for a fellow member I can still yap. All I can say is perhaps it's time for many to consider alternatives instead of reliance on fossil fuels and being held hostage for stupid decisions that often hold the world to ransom, ain't over yet girls and boys.

As a lap dog I will only feel slight price rises in the supermarkets or deliveries if I have any but witnessing the turmoil going on in our district for those that can least afford.

Cheers, Steve.

@Fred
Yes, we have heard that they must pay in yuan. To obtain yuan, they must exchange western currency to get yuan, implying that this puts pressure on the US dollar, facilitating its crash as the reserve currency. As an engineer I am familiar with the term "order of magnitude". - @danfinn

Whilst 'order of magnitude' would normally apply, this is not a normal situation.

Iran's idea, probably influenced by China, is a slow chipping away of the Dollar's use, not a coup de grace. You have to take this one small thing in concert with everything else that's happening - then you have something significant.

There are over 1,000 ships waiting to exit the strait of Hormuz of which three hundred are tankers. On it's busiest day in the past, 153 ships exited.

         Just saw a video showing many pedestrians in the Philippines claiming many people are now walking, cannot afford to buy rides.

He who has the most toys or perhaps cash at the end of the day is the winner it seems, us average plebs are not near that situation but with a little thinking can mitigate rising costs caused by stupidity with forward thinking and small investments.

Fred, China, USA, EU really matters little for us retirees but the average punter? Suffering?

It's funny my sis and BIL some months ago purchased a PHEV mainly because they have grid tied solar on their roof after me bleating at them for years,,,,,, talking to her today, no fuel in the car, plug it in every 2/3 days and like me wished she had done it sooner, grinning from ear to ear with the stupidity caused by poor decisions.

The coup de grace Fred has been Chinas long term objective, paying off? Time will tell but as most know for China these are long term objectives and not rip tear bust like some countries.

How am I doing as your supposed lap dog?

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

mugtech said . . . . Just saw a video showing many pedestrians in the Philippines claiming many people are now walking, cannot afford to buy rides.

***********************

Ordinary bus fare P15 for first 5km, then P2.49 per km.

Air Condition Buses P18 for first 5km, then P2.95 per km

Jeepneys traditional P14 for first 4km, then P2 per km

Jeepneys modern P17 for first 4km, then P2.4 per km

With the current situation the Government released P2.5 Billion fuel subsidy.

P10,000 per bus & Jeepneys P4500 per unit.

How am I doing as your supposed lap dog?

OMO.

Cheers, Steve. - @bigpearl

SIT!

Good boy 😎🤣

The coup de grace Fred has been Chinas long term objective, paying off? Time will tell but as most know for China these are long term objectives and not rip tear bust like some countries.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve. - @bigpearl

I disagree. China is far better off with a strong Customer base in the US, but Trump's 'plans' have ruined that.

The Chinese, like them or not, work long term, steadily chipping away at whatever they feel is the right path for them. They looked at renewable energy decades ago when the realised the US was after a potential blockade of their oil at the straits of Malacca.  Whilst the US was all about oil wars, they quietly bought up mineral rights and dedicated large teams to developing battery tech along with solar and other renewable sources.

They expanded into other infrastructure projects all over China, then took their expertise to other countries. They have been so successful with high speed rail, their short and medium haul air routes are obsolete.

There goes a massive fuel saving.

Whilst the US was shoving gas guzzling cars, China developed lightweight EVs, then finished the trick with ebikes and motorcycles that use almost no energy to run.

Then they powered a lot of it with renewable that has limited their need for oil.

'Clever' isn't even close to how the Chinese work.

They were ten steps ahead of the US before Trump, but the fat man will need a telescope to see them race ahead now.

How am I doing as your supposed lap dog?OMO.Cheers, Steve. - @bigpearl SIT!Good boy 😎🤣 - @Fred

Well that ends the guessing game. Now we know who is on top 😆

@Fred

'Clever' isn't even close to how the Chinese work.

Oh yes the ‘clever’ Mr Xi Jinping.

The guy who egregiously mishandled the lock down during the Covid crisis who was ultimately responsible for millions of fatalities because of command dogma.

The system, of which he is a spokesman, who ‘far sightedly’ introduced the one child policy which is now coming back to haunt the party with a massive gender imbalance with 20% of males remaining effectively celibate for the rest of their lives.

The command system that oversaw the construction of millions of properties that were sold to aspiring Chinese families that have never been finished and has resulted in falling prices leaving many home owners who did take possession of their homes in negative equity with attendant pressures on consumption: As a result China is very close to negative inflation - potentially more serious to any economy (ask the Japanese) than inflation.

Growth that has halved due to incompetent management of the economy in general.

The success stories of electric cars and solar have only been achieved due to massive subsidies handed out that ultimately distort a country’s competitiveness in the long term.

Praise be to the ‘clever’ Mr Xi Jinping.

Fred said . . . .  Whilst the US was shoving gas guzzling cars, China developed lightweight EVs,

**************************

Really Fred?

1996 GM EV1

1997 Toyota Prius Hybrid 1997

2008 Tesla Roadster . . . (BYD Hybrid came into existence in 2008)

2010 EV Nissan Leaf, mass produced

2020 Tesla became the best selling EV at the time

2020 Tesla became the best selling EV at the time - @Enzyte Bob

Yes, half sold in the US where BYD's cheaper, superior cars are banned, and half sold in China where they are manufactured.

Even with Chinese manufacturing and sales, Tesla is nothing when you compare it to the far better BYD offerings.

What happened then Bob? Seems someone dropped the ball big time. Personally I could never work out the advantages of a Prius as it was all run by ICE and was an overpriced fad.

I also see that China has been buying 80% of Chilean Lithium and now someone is having yet another tantrum. Too slow as always.

To the readers, Why would I buy an American assembled EV @ 20 or 30K more when I can purchase a superior Chinese set of wheels far cheaper, solar and batteries the same.

There is a lot of the pot calling the kettle black and perhaps some need to look at history,,,,, own backyards as no country is without sins or mistakes.

There is a lot of pushback against China here on this site and I see why, the threat of losing world dominance, OMO but it's coming. Pulling out of NATO could be the final straw.

Some of us learnt the future was not hydrocarbons but alternatives, for me that was 30 years ago and on my 3rd system now and this one will see me out. Some procrastinate while some do. No power bills, no fuel bills, a fully A/C home, no blackouts. Saving P400K per year, over a 20% return. little carbon footprint.

@danfinn

Tri sexual, try anything once.

Cheers, Steve.

@Fred

Reality is!!!!!! If I can buy an apple from one vendor for 70 cents why would I go 2 doors up and pay a dollar, people budget and look at day to day living costs, Like my sis in OZ that looked at BYD after our experiences but purchased a Cherry 7 plus with similar specs for apparently AU 10K cheaper. Money talks.

Her and her husband love the fact that they plug it into their solar every 2/3 days and no fuel bills, lower maintenance costs and like me only food and transport cost increases that all suffer regardless.

Choices.

For me/us it's simple, don't complain, do something about it. Stop destroying the only planet we have.

Don't get me started on plastics.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

bigpearl said . . .. Personally I could never work out the advantages of a Prius as it was all run by ICE and was an overpriced fad.

************************

Toyota Prius for 25 years has sold almost 7 million cars, that's some fad.

Hybrids sales of all makes & models are now growing at a faster sales rate than EV's. Many hybrids are self charging, a big advantage over EV's needing home charging, if you have a home, or need access to a charging station.

That's the Big Beautiful Advantage of Hybrids.

I own one Bob, No need to preach to the converted. Your Japanese Prius is overpriced and underwhelming.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

bigpearl said . . .. Personally I could never work out the advantages of a Prius as it was all run by ICE and was an overpriced fad.
************************
Toyota Prius for 25 years has sold almost 7 million cars, that's some fad.
Hybrids sales of all makes & models are now growing at a faster sales rate than EV's. Many hybrids are self charging, a big advantage over EV's needing home charging, if you have a home, or need access to a charging station.

That's the Big Beautiful Advantage of Hybrids. - @Enzyte Bob

Then came the fuel crisis that showed the world how renewable charged EVs mitigate oil war issues.

I see the Philippines imports far fewer pure EVs than Indonesia, so we are far less vulnerable to war fuel problems.

The philippines has riots and people walking, but we have hardly noticed so far.

One very popular EV car here is the Air EV - the low version has a 200km max range, but most use use them for town driving and they can be slow charged from a standard house socket using the supplied portable charger.

As a bonus, our government encouraged Chinese manufacturers to set up factories in Indonesia - we get jobs and and profits from Chinese cars in this country.

Fred said . . . I see the Philippines imports far fewer pure EVs than Indonesia, so we are far less vulnerable to war fuel problems.

The philippines has riots and people walking, but we have hardly noticed so far.

****************************

In Indonesia the government is using aggressive conservation methods and massive subsidies to prevent the shortages from boiling over to civil unrest.

In Indonesia the government is using aggressive conservation methods and massive subsidies to prevent the shortages from boiling over to civil unrest. - @Enzyte Bob

Yes, we have a very good government

The thing is that energy prices (hydrocarbons) were getting out of hand for years and many people started to wake up to the alternatives available. High electricity and fuel bills are not needed.

As bad as they were Mr. no more wars has opened a large can of worms raising prices beyond the reach of the average battler, billions of them. One does wonder how many will become even wealthier.

What is refreshing is seeing the support base disintegrating within the ranks.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

bigpearl mentioned hydrocarbons

China has over1100 big beautiful coal burning plants and will be adding 85 more in 2026. China has more coal plants than the rest of the world combined.

Indonesia, more than 60% their electricity is generated using coal.

France after the 1973 oil embargo switch to nuclear power. They have only two coal plants remaining and they plan to convert them to biomass in order to save jobs.

And Bob? Big frigging deal, There are complainers, there are dreamers and then the doers. Your constant cynicism and denial won't change the direction we are all headed. Renewables.

Australia will suffer in the future as a huge amount of our exports/income are fossil fuels and as the market gets less and less I only hope my country can transition to a new world instead of the stupid drill baby drill mentality. Perhaps a far better world for those that follow us into a tumultuous future.

Perhaps you should focus on your flights of stairs, moving and getting rid of those that steal from you. Go back to Vegas if you can afford to.We are happy here with no electricity nor fuel bills.

Choices.

Cheers, Steve.

bigpearl said . . . And Bob? Big frigging deal, There are complainers, there are dreamers and then the doers. Your constant cynicism and denial won't change the direction we are all headed. Renewables.

***********************

Getting nasty & personal again big beautiful pearl?

Yes big deal, yes it won't change the direction, but most of us will be dead before the it reaches 50%. Your favorite Big Beautiful China is the leader in burning hydrocarbons and will be for years & years, long after you're gone.

Regardless Bob, we are doing it while the likes of yourself? The wheel was invented thousands of years ago, Electric cars 120 odd years ago, You won't stop progress and many of us are enjoying and not spreading B/S that makes you feel better for lack of sight.

While I'm only one sprouting renewables here there are millions upon millions not on this site and very happy and not bitter.

Cheers, Steve.

Can solar save the Philippines?

How much, and what are its gaps and promise?

Note: The government has very recently issued Executive Order No. 110, s. 2026, which  declares a state of national energy emergency, and directs agencies to accelerate the development of renewable energy across sectors, including solar.

By Princess Leah Sagaad  Apr 4, 2026  8:59 AM PHT

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/explainers/can-solar-save-philippines-how-much-gaps-promise/

While households and major industries increasingly adopt solar to combat high electricity costs and grid instability, the transition remains shaped by significant upfront investments and technical needs to manage efficiency drops caused by extreme tropical heat

The country continues to face high electricity costs, recurring supply constraints, and an energy system heavily dependent on imported fuels.

These conditions have shaped public perceptions of solar energy, particularly at the household level, where questions about cost, reliability, and practicality are most immediate.

In response to the ongoing energy crisis triggered by the war in the Middle East, the government issued Executive Order No. 110, s. 2026, declaring a state of national energy emergency and directing agencies to accelerate the development of renewable energy across sectors, including solar.

At the same time, analysts such as the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) have pointed to structural issues in the energy system.

In a recent analysis, the group noted that reliance on imported fossil fuels exposes the country to global price volatility, affecting both electricity costs and supply stability.

This crisis has sparked a sharp increase in consumer interest in solar power.

Cris Tagupa, who has been running a solar installation business since 2024, noted that daily inquiries have jumped from just two to as many as 30 since the war started. This means that the market is currently looking for alternative energy solutions.

Even with this increasing demand, several common concerns about solar power remain.

Household costs and savings

Solar rooftops in the Philippines typically use photovoltaic (PV) panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity. This is the type most households, businesses, and industries install, rather than solar thermal systems that produce heat.

For many Filipino households, the main question is whether PV solar can actually lower electricity bills. These systems generate electricity during daylight hours, helping offset grid consumption for much of the day.

At the system level, increasing renewable energy supply has been associated with declining wholesale electricity prices.

Data cited by Reuters shows rates falling from P5.58 to P4.14 per kWh between 2024 and 2025.

However, the extent of savings varies. Households continue to pay distribution and other fixed charges, and outcomes depend on system size, electricity usage patterns, and net metering arrangements.

In an interview with Rappler, Tagupa explained that households primarily generate electricity during the day, which shapes how savings are realized.

“You only harvest electricity during the day…so you still need the grid at night unless you have a battery or net metering.”

Net metering under Section 10 of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 allows households to send excess electricity from rooftop solar systems back to the grid in exchange for credits that can be used to offset future consumption.

He added that net metering plays a key role in reducing bills by allowing excess daytime generation to offset nighttime consumption. “If you have net metering, the excess energy you generate during the day can offset your usage at night.”

Tagupa cited his own household as an example, noting that he uses grid electricity mainly at night while exporting excess solar power during the day.

Over time, these credits can offset consumption, and in his case, have resulted in no electricity bills for more than a year.

A report from the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA) confirms that while solar saves money, its growth is slowed by practical hurdles.

The group warned that inconsistent installation standards and low-quality equipment on the market can hurt system performance and, ultimately, damage consumer trust in the technology.

Households that use more electricity during the day tend to benefit more from solar, while those with higher nighttime use remain more dependent on the grid — unless they have a solar-powered battery to store excess energy.

In effect, solar involves a higher upfront cost, but can reduce reliance on grid electricity over time leading to lower long-term expenses. The actual savings also depend on usage patterns, system quality, installation standards, and access to reliable equipment.

By leveraging net metering, Cris Tagupa’s residential solar setup has effectively eliminated his electricity bills for over a year in Uptown, Cagayan de Oro City.

Upfront costs and access

The cost of installing rooftop solar remains a significant factor for Filipino households.

Estimates from local pricing tools, such as the Pinas Solar calculator, show that a standard residential setup typically ranges from P275,000 to P500,000, depending on the system’s capacity and the quality of equipment used.

These systems are typically grid-tied and do not include battery storage, which can significantly increase costs.

While cost estimation shows that solar systems can recover their investment within three to seven years, upfront financing remains a major barrier.

According to Tagupa, costs also vary depending on system type. “The cheapest option is grid-tied solar without a battery. Hybrid or off-grid systems with battery backup can cost around 20 to 40 percent more.”

He noted that for a typical residential setup of 6 kW, grid-tied systems often cost between P200,000 and P300,000 depending on the specific installation requirements.

Despite growing interest, adoption remains uneven. “Most of our clients are middle- to upper-income households,” Tagupa said, pointing to affordability as a key barrier.

A recent report by Rappler highlights an adoption gap where there is strong public interest in rooftop solar but relatively low installation rates, pointing to financing constraints, awareness gaps, and upfront costs as key factors.

This suggests that while solar may be cost-effective over time, access remains uneven across income groups.

Reliability and everyday use

Concerns about solar reliability often stem from its dependence on sunlight, particularly during cloudy conditions, typhoons, or nighttime hours.

Analyses from Carbon Brief show that even if solar output varies, it doesn’t automatically mean power is unreliable because grids can use other energy sources and storage to keep electricity flowing.

The Department of Energy (DOE) recently reported that 250 megawatts of solar capacity, paired with 450 megawatt-hours of battery storage, have been added to support grid stability in the country.

At the household level, most rooftop systems remain grid-connected and do not include battery storage.

In practice, this means solar typically supplements grid electricity at the moment rather than fully replacing it.

Data from SPECTRUM, a project by ICSC and Tara that uses satellite imagery and machine learning to map solar installations, reveals that the Philippines has an estimated total capacity of 3,093.32 MW across 236 cities and municipalities.

While this indicates a strong shift toward renewable energy, the distribution shows that rooftop potential for homes and businesses remains largely untapped.

Massive utility projects currently dominate the landscape, accounting for 81.07% (2,507.73 MW) of total capacity.

In contrast, residential setups make up only 12.02% (371.8 MW) of the mix, while commercial installations represent just 6.91% (213.78 MW) of the national total.

This data suggests that while solar is well-established at the utility level, there is significant room for growth in localized energy production for Filipino households and business establishments.

Performance in a tropical climate

Questions have also been raised about how solar performs under tropical conditions.

Studies indicate that solar panels continue to generate electricity under partial cloud cover and that overall performance depends more on sunlight coverage than temperature.

However, high temperatures can reduce efficiency.

Extremely hot conditions can slightly lower energy output even on sunny days because solar panels work best when they stay cool. While they need light to make power, the heat actually makes it harder for electricity to flow through the panel’s internal parts. Essentially, the hotter the panel gets, the more it struggles to move the energy it has collected.

Environmental factors such as humidity and dust may also affect performance over time, while typhoons pose risks if systems are not properly installed.

System quality and installation standards are therefore critical. “Brand matters. It affects efficiency, reliability, and after-sales support,” Tagupa said.

He added that properly installed systems are designed to last decades, with solar panels typically lasting 25 to 30 years and inverters and batteries around 10 to 15 years.

INDUSTRIAL SCALE. The 110kW grid-tie system in Consolacion, Cebu, reduces monthly electricity expenses by ₱90,000 to ₱160,000.

Commercial and industrial applications

Solar energy in the Philippines is transitioning from a supplementary power source toward a functional backbone for large-scale infrastructure.

Recent data shows that major telecommunications companies, including Globe and PLDT, are successfully integrating hybrid solar setups to support energy-intensive facilities like data centers and cell sites.

According to an analysis by Dhruv Soni, APAC Head of Telco & Media Consulting at Indra Group, this shift is driven by performance rather than just sustainability goals.

Globe is solarizing 53 sites to save P24 million and PLDT reaching a 35% renewable energy mix. These hybrid systems help keep operations running smoothly even during power outages and storms.

At a broader level, newly added solar capacity and storage projects contribute to both residential and industrial energy supply. However, large-scale operations typically rely on a mix of energy sources rather than solar alone.

Solar energy is also being explored in transport and public infrastructure, including solar-assisted electric vehicles.

These applications are in early stages and depend on further infrastructure development and policy support.

Energy analysts continue to point to structural challenges in the Philippine energy system. According to ICSC, short-term interventions to stabilize prices may not address underlying vulnerabilities linked to import dependence.

– Rappler.com

--

Well P1 aside from your long winded attachment many are doing exactly that, No power bills, no fuel bills but the clincher is having the bucks to invest and while many in 1st world countries are moving to renewables it's 2nd and 3rd world countries that can't/won't invest and keep paying and while not their fault most seem to have their hands tied by oligarchies that want to keep it that way,,,,,, bucks.

Us? 5 to 7 A/C units running daily and 2/3 at night, a fully charged car as required, no bills and no blackouts.

No dependence on fossil fuels nor stupid decisions. independent.

Cheers, Steve.

bigpearl said . . . . You won't stop progress and many of us are enjoying and not spreading B/S 

While I'm only one sprouting renewables here there are millions upon millions not on this site and very happy and not bitter.

*****************************

Your above statements are true.

You might be the only one sprouting renewables, you make up for the millions and millions not on this site by constantly reminding us.

Planting vegetables that sprout are renewable. What do you mean by "Sprouting Renewables"?

Well P1 aside from your long winded attachment many are doing exactly that, No power bills, no fuel bills but the clincher is having the bucks to invest and while many in 1st world countries are moving to renewables it's 2nd and 3rd world countries that can't/won't invest and keep paying and while not their fault most seem to have their hands tied by oligarchies that want to keep it that way,,,,,, bucks.
Us? 5 to 7 A/C units running daily and 2/3 at night, a fully charged car as required, no bills and no blackouts.
No dependence on fossil fuels nor stupid decisions. independent.

Cheers, Steve. - @bigpearl

We are seeing the results of fossil fuel dependency,  and it's not pretty.

Powering our homes and offices from solar or other renewable resources is now a viable alternative to fossil fuel use, as is running an EV.

The latter still has cost issues as far as cars go, but electric bikes and motorcycles work out far cheaper than ICE alternatives,  and are practical for most commuter use.

There used to be two big issues with EV cars - Range anxiety and initial cost.

The former isn't much of a deal now as we are seeing up to 600 km range and far faster charging times, but buying an EV is still far more expensive than an ICE.

That works out over time as fuel and servicing costs all but disappear, but that's longer term, and most people think short term.

For me, my old minibus can't be replaced with an EV unless the fuel crisis really hits. A tank of fuel lasts for up to two months as a rule, so I could never hope to recover the initial cost of an EV.

What happened then Bob? Seems someone dropped the ball big time. Personally I could never work out the advantages of a Prius as it was all run by ICE and was an overpriced fad.

I also see that China has been buying 80% of Chilean Lithium and now someone is having yet another tantrum. Too slow as always.

To the readers, Why would I buy an American assembled EV @ 20 or 30K more when I can purchase a superior Chinese set of wheels far cheaper, solar and batteries the same.

There is a lot of the pot calling the kettle black and perhaps some need to look at history,,,,, own backyards as no country is without sins or mistakes.

There is a lot of pushback against China here on this site and I see why, the threat of losing world dominance, OMO but it's coming. Pulling out of NATO could be the final straw.

Some of us learnt the future was not hydrocarbons but alternatives, for me that was 30 years ago and on my 3rd system now and this one will see me out. Some procrastinate while some do. No power bills, no fuel bills, a fully A/C home, no blackouts. Saving P400K per year, over a 20% return. little carbon footprint.

@danfinn

Tri sexual, try anything once.

Cheers, Steve.What happened then Bob? Seems someone dropped the ball big time. Personally I could never work out the advantages of a Prius as it was all run by ICE and was an overpriced fad.

I also see that China has been buying 80% of Chilean Lithium and now someone is having yet another tantrum. Too slow as always.

To the readers, Why would I buy an American assembled EV @ 20 or 30K more when I can purchase a superior Chinese set of wheels far cheaper, solar and batteries the same.

There is a lot of the pot calling the kettle black and perhaps some need to look at history,,,,, own backyards as no country is without sins or mistakes.

There is a lot of pushback against China here on this site and I see why, the threat of losing world dominance, OMO but it's coming. Pulling out of NATO could be the final straw.

Some of us learnt the future was not hydrocarbons but alternatives, for me that was 30 years ago and on my 3rd system now and this one will see me out. Some procrastinate while some do. No power bills, no fuel bills, a fully A/C home, no blackouts. Saving P400K per year, over a 20% return. little carbon footprint.

@danfinn

Tri sexual, try anything once.

Cheers, Steve.

Big Beautiful Pearl

You are repeating yourself over and over, similar when talking to another person who is confused by a language barrier, so the talking person keeps getting louder & louder and starts yelling thinking the other person will understand.

I think that was a stutter Bob, I was posting something else and got a double up. Lost what I intended to post it seems.

Regardless it's a pointless discussion.

Cheers, Steve.