Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB)
The Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) is the operational bureau of the Department of Energy (DOE) responsible for implementing the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (RA 9513). It is the primary DOE unit for RE resource development policy, contract administration, and incentive certification. REMB also serves as the Technical Secretariat of the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) [DC2009-05-0008, SEC. 28, 2009-05-25].
Creation
REMB was established under Section 32 of RA 9513 to effectively implement the Act. The IRR (DC2009-05-0008, SEC. 28) provided operational details:
- Absorbed the existing Renewable Energy Management Division (REMD) of the DOE’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB), which was dissolved upon REMB’s creation
- REMB Desks created in the DOE’s field offices in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to facilitate RE Developer registration and accreditation
[DC2009-05-0008, SEC. 28, 2009-05-25; RA 9513, SEC. 32, 2008-12-16]
Organizational Structure and Budget
The DOE, through the Office of the Secretary, was directed to determine REMB’s organizational structure and staffing complement within six (6) months of the IRR’s effectivity, in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and subject to civil service rules [DC2009-05-0008, SEC. 29, 2009-05-25].
Initial funding was drawn from the DOE’s existing appropriations; thereafter included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) [DC2009-05-0008, SEC. 30, 2009-05-25].
Known internal divisions (referenced across subsequent DCs):
| Unit | Role |
|---|---|
| Technical Service Management Division (TSMD) | RETF Secretariat; RETF billing and collection coordination; RPSCT technical and administrative secretariat |
| Wind Energy Management Group (WEMG) | Wind energy contract management |
| Information Technology Management Service (ITMS) | RE data systems |
| Information Projects Office (IPO) | RE information programs |
Powers and Functions
The REMB has the following powers and functions under the IRR [DC2009-05-0008, SEC. 31, 2009-05-25]:
| # | Function |
|---|---|
| (a) | Develop, formulate and implement policies, plans and programs such as the NREP, to accelerate RE Resources development, transformation, utilization, and commercialization |
| (b) | Develop and maintain a comprehensive, centralized, and unified data and information base on RE Resources |
| (c) | Promote the commercialization/application of RE Resources including new and emerging technologies |
| (d) | Conduct technical research, socio-economic, and environmental impact studies of RE projects |
| (e) | Continue to strengthen the Affiliated Renewable Energy Centers (ARECs) nationwide |
| (f) | Create a unified database of RE projects for monitoring and planning purposes |
| (g) | Supervise and monitor activities of government and private entities on RE development to ensure compliance |
| (h) | Provide information, consultation, technical training, and advisory services to RE Developers; formulate RE technology development strategies |
| (i) | Develop and implement an information, education, and communication (IEC) program for RE industry stakeholders |
| (j) | Evaluate, process, approve, and issue RE Service/Operating Contracts, permits, certifications, and accreditations |
| (k) | Monitor and evaluate NREP implementation to determine the need to expand it |
| (l) | Perform other functions necessary for effective implementation of the Act |
Role as NREB Technical Secretariat
REMB serves as the Technical Secretariat of the NREB. In this capacity, it reports directly to the Office of the Secretary or the Undersecretary of the DOE on NREB-related matters [DC2009-05-0008, SEC. 26, 2009-05-25]. Staffing of the Technical Secretariat function is subject to Board determination and DBM approval.
Role in Incentive Administration (REMB-TSMD)
The REMB-TSMD (Technical Service Management Division) acts as the RETF Secretariat under DC2022-06-0018:
- Issues billing statements to RETF contributors (PCSO, PAGCOR, PNOC, DENR-EMB)
- Issues Orders of Payment for Channel 3 contributions (donations, fines)
- Coordinates submission of Annual Revenue/Expenditure Estimates to the DOE Accounting Division by February 15 each year
- Prepares and submits BP 100-B Forms to DBM for budget appropriation
[DC2022-06-0018, §3, 2022-06-10]
Role as RPSCT Secretariat
REMB-TSMD provides technical and administrative secretariat support to the RPS Composite Team (RPSCT) — the multi-agency body created by DC2023-05-0014 to oversee implementation of the Revised RPS Off-Grid Rules [DC2023-05-0014, SEC. 16, 2023-05].
In this capacity, TSMD supports the RPSCT in:
- Evaluating and monitoring RPS Requirements and Compliance Plans per Mandated Participant
- Validating Compliance Plans against per-area Optimal Supply Mix targets
- Compiling information from the RE Registrar for the RPSCT’s annual Compliance Report to the DOE Secretary, ERC, and NREB
NEA and TransCo serve as resource persons and observers to the RPSCT; DOE Legal Services provides legal support. See Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) for the full RPSCT structure.
Role in OCSP Implementation — Review and Evaluation Committee (REC)
For each OCSP round, REMB constitutes and leads the Review and Evaluation Committee (REC) that evaluates all RE Applications and recommends award to the DOE Secretary [DC2023-06-0019, §2, 2023-06-08].
OCSP4 REC composition (DC2023-06-0019):
| Role | Position |
|---|---|
| Chairperson | Supervising Assistant Secretary, REMB |
| Vice-Chairperson | Director, REMB |
| Member | Chief, Geothermal Energy Management Division (GEMD) |
| Member | Chief, Hydropower and Ocean Energy Management Division (HOEMD) |
| Member | Chief, Solar and Wind Energy Management Division (SWEMD) |
| Member | Chief, Renewable Energy Legal Services Division (RELSD) |
| Member | Chief, Renewable Energy Resources Compliance Division (RERCD) |
| Secretariat | Staff of GEMD, HOEMD, and SWEMD |
REC responsibilities: evaluate application completeness, assess legal/technical/financial qualifications, resolve objections and motions for reconsideration, recommend award to the DOE Secretary. REC must complete evaluation within 10 working days from the opening of applications [DC2023-06-0019, §§3–6, 2023-06-08].
Role in RE Contract Administration
REMB issues the following key documents on behalf of DOE [DC2009-05-0008, SEC. 18, 2009-05-25; DC2024-06-0018, §§3–4, 2024-06-04]:
- DOE Certificate of Registration (COR) — issued to RE Developers upon award of an RE Service/Operating Contract
- DOE Certificate of Accreditation — issued to RE manufacturers, fabricators, and suppliers of locally-produced RE equipment
- Certificate of Endorsement — issued within 15 days of request by RE Developers or manufacturers; serves as basis for entitlement to fiscal incentives
The Certificate of Endorsement is issued on a per-transaction basis and does not prejudice any additional requirements by the agencies administering the fiscal incentives (BIR, BOC, BOI) [DC2009-05-0008, SEC. 18(C), 2009-05-25].