Power generation firms urged to put up plants, boost supply

MAUBAN, QUEZON -- The Philippine government has adopted a technology-neutral policy to entice more generation companies to put up power plants and help ensure power sustainability and boost growth.

In his speech during the inauguration of the 500- megawatt capacity ( MW) coal- fired power plant of San Buenaventura Power Ltd. Co. (SBPL) in Mauban, Quezon on Tuesday, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said energy has a crucial role on the continued expansion of the domestic economy.

“The country’s drive toward progress, prosperity, and global competitiveness is directly correlated to our rising energy requirements. Thus, part of our goal involves a long-term initiative geared towards a sustainable, diversified, and balanced energy mix that is responsive to the country’s growing energy

needs -this is espoused in the Power Development Plan of the DOE,” he said.

This is the reason why the Department of Energy (DOE) adopted the technology-neutral policy, he said.

Cusi explained that when he joined the department in 2016, he questioned the allocation set for each energy source, such as 30 percent cap for coal-fired power plants and on renewable energy, among others.

He said there is no need to put limits on efficient energy that has reasonable cost and out quota on expensive sources.

Cusi added the country has an issue with capacity thus, there is no need to put a cap on sources yet as the government bids all households to have electricity when the current administration’s term ends in mid-2022.

He thus cited the operations of SBPL’s supercritical coal-fired power plant which utilizes highefficiency and low emissions (HELE) coal technology.

“Bearing in mind that the energy choices we make today will affect future generations, I am glad to have been given the opportunity to participate in the inauguration of one of the most advanced and efficient plants in the country,” he said.

The Energy chief, however, pointed out that there remains a “pressing grid-related issues that require our utmost attention.”