Department of Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras assured that modern technology would mitigate the polluting effects of a coal-fired power plant, adding that it is the quickest solution to ensure sufficient power supply in Mindanao.
Almendras said power could be generated from coal “without harming much the environment,” countering claims from environment groups.
“There is technology that will mitigate the polluting effects of coal that will make it more environment friendly,” he told Davao media during the Mindanao Energy Forum at the Waterfront Hotel last Tuesday.
He said the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation countries came up with a declaration in San Francisco that “there’s no such thing as clean coal,” admitting that coal has pollutants.
“But we have to acknowledge that we have new technology available that mitigates coal pollution,” the Secretary said.
Almendras maintained his position to push for coal-fired power plants amid opposition from environment groups, saying that such source of energy would address the needed power in Mindanao of at least 500 megawatts of non-hydro generation.
Although he admitted that the existing Mindanao hydro-power plants in Agus and Pulangi generate power in full capacity, it is still not enough in peak periods.
“During the time na mahina ang rains, we do not have the capacity to generate power,” he explained, emphasizing that “a coal-fired power plant is the fastest solution right now.”
Almendras said the government’s effort is still short of 200 megawatts to reach the 500 megawatts needed to stabilize Mindanao’s power needs.
“What we have on the table is the 100 megawatt in Saranggani,” he said, referring to the proposed coal-fired power plant of the Alcantara-led Conal Holdings Corp. in Maasim, Saranggani province.
In Davao, he said the proposed 200 megawatt coal-fired power plant of Aboitiz Power would also push through.
Almendras, however, added that the 500 megawatts would still not be enough five years from now, saying that “we would still need to generate more power. “
He urged the cooperation of local government units and the public to support the government’s undertaking on coal-fired power plants.
“Right now Mindanao should be okay for as long as we can have available power,”Almendras assured.
