In a column published by BusinessWorld , Bienvenido Oplas Jr. introduced the Oplas Index of Energy Abundance (OIEA), a metric designed to assess a country’s energy affordability and abundance. The index aims to help policymakers track progress from energy poverty toward energy sufficiency.
The OIEA combines several energy parameters, including electricity prices, consumption per capita, and the share of household income spent on energy. Oplas argues that a lower OIEA score indicates greater energy abundance, while higher scores reflect energy poverty. The index is intended to provide a simple, intuitive benchmark for comparing energy conditions across countries and over time.
Oplas noted that many developing nations, including the Philippines, still face high electricity costs that hinder economic growth. He suggested that the OIEA could guide energy policy reforms by highlighting the need for cheaper and more reliable power. The column is part of an ongoing discussion on energy transition and sustainable development.