The Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture are moving to bring more renewable energy technologies into the agriculture sector as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s food and energy security.
In a statement, the DOE said Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Agriculture Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro, and National Transmission Corporation President Melvin “Atoy” Matibag Leynes met on May 13 to discuss renewable energy projects that could be deployed in agricultural areas.
Among the initiatives discussed was a specialized Green Energy Auction program for technologies such as agrisolar, floating solar, and solar-on-stilts. These systems are designed to allow energy generation and food production to take place in the same area, maximizing land and water resources.
The agencies also agreed to create a Technical Working Group that will prepare the necessary mechanisms for the planned auction before the end of the year.
The partnership will likewise explore biomass reactor projects that can convert livestock manure into fertilizer and energy, helping farms reduce waste while generating additional value from agricultural byproducts.
The DOE said the joint initiative seeks to support cleaner energy use in farming communities while helping improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience in the agriculture sector.