DOE tightens rules on coal-fired power plants

Published by rudy Date posted on February 22, 2016

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Energy (DOE) is eyeing to impose stricter standards on coal-fired power plants to contribute to climate change mitigation programs and the country’s commitment to lessen carbon emissions.

Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada said the agency is meeting with coal plant operators and generators for the imposition of strict standards on emissions and fuel quality.

“While we still allow coal plants, they should have the latest technology so emissions are much reduced,” she said.

The standards will also cover storage handling distribution because a lot of generators and operators store coal in open areas, the Energy chief noted.

This statement came after the Aquino administration was slammed for supporting coal plants even as the country joined global efforts in addressing the effects of climate change.

However, Monsada said the country still needs power baseload supply from coal-fired plants. Baseload power plants are power generating facilities that can operate reliably and efficiently generating electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“We need power that’s why we need coal plants. The task of DOE is to ensure that we have sufficient, reliable power. Right now, because of investments in the power sector are private sector driven, coal presents the least cost, fastest and biggest supply choice so far,” the DOE official said.

She noted, however, the use of coal plants will be corrected in the future, with enough baseload power from the current line up of coal-fired facilities being built.

DOE data showed the Philippines will see nearly 5,000 megawatts (MW) of new power plants being built until 2020, of which over over 70 percent are coal-based.

In its report, environment group Greenpeace said coal plant emissions may cause over 2,400 premature deaths in the country.

Under the DOE’s current fuel mix policy, the country should source 30 percent of its energy requirements from coal, 30 percent from renewable energy and another 30 percent from natural gas. The remaining 10 percent will come from oil-based power plants. –Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star)

April 2025

World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”

Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos

Time to support & empower survivors. Time to spark a global conversation. Time for #GenerationEquality to #orangetheworld!

Monthly Observances:

March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth

Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week

Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Categories