Phl should pursue better clean coal technology

TOKYO, Japan — The Philippines should pursue better clean coal technology (CCT) in putting up coal-fired power plants to support its growing economy and at the same time, lowers its carbon emissions.

Japan Energy Coal Center (JCOAL), a government-mandated institution that covers upstream to downstream of the coal value chain, has expressed its willingness to work with the Philippines and neighboring countries to have more efficient coal-fired power plants.

“Japan is ready to work with Philippines and ASEAN countries to pursue better and more advanced CCTs…through programs for technical application as well as for advancement of understanding of immense advantages which those technologies will provide with,” said Masahiro Ozawa, deputy director for advanced thermal power plant technology group of JCOAL.

Established in 1990, JCOAL has been engaging in bridging, coordinating and mediating work between government, public sector and private players for development and introduction of highly efficient CCT.

JCOAL is also working with other countries for research and development, technical exchange, diagnosis, among others as it advocates for clean, efficient and sustainable coal utilization.

“Japan is ready to share with Philippines and ASEAN member states a set of best practices in terms of both technology/technique, regulatory framework and environmental responsibility, all of which remain important, regardless of the technology we will use for coal-fired power generation,” Ozawa said.

Continuous innovation in the power industry has been Japan’s key in supporting its economy, which is the third largest in the world.

Coal has been a major power source for the country, even with the industrial revolution which made oil a more affordable option in the 20th century.