FPHC shuns coal-fed facilities, will double wind power capacity

First Philippine Holdings Corporation (FPHC), a member of the Lopez group of companies, is shunning coal power plants and commits to invest $450 million to double its wind power capacity in the next three years.

“Today, let me state unequivocally and for the record that FPHC and its subsidiaries will not build, develop, or invest in any coal-fired power plant,” said FPHC Chairman Federico R. Lopez during the firm’s annual stockholders’ meeting.

He added that, “I’m certain that, without having to look too far, this country already has energy alternatives that do not mortgage the future of our children and the future of our planet.”

In an interview after the meeting, FPHC president Francis Giles B. Puno said that, instead of cheaper coal plants, they will instead double their wind power capacity from the existing 150 megawatts (MW) to 300 MW.

“One megawatt costs between $2.5 million and $3 million, so we are going to spend about $450 million for doubling our capacity, that was just the same amount we have spent for our existing 150 MW wind power facility,” Puno said.

He added that the expansion project will start as soon as subsidiary Energy Development Company’s (EDC) application for feed-in tariff (FIT) is approved by the government. “Feedin tariff” or FIT is a set of incentives granted to renewable energy investors in the country.

EDC currently operates a wind power facility through its unit, EDC Burgos Wind Power Corporation located in Ilocos Norte, with a 150 MW capacity. “We aim to double it in the next three years,” Puno said.

Puno explained that the move to expand their renewable energy facilities is part of FPHC’s objective to encourage other energyrelated firms to do away