Hunt for alternative energy urged

DUE to unresolved power crisis in the Visayas and the Mindanao regions, the Department of Energy (DOE) is urging stakeholders to look into the possible use of alternative sources such as natural gas and nuclear energy.

Citing the case of Mindanao, Jesus Tamang, director for the DOE's energy policy and planning bureau, noted that the province should explore other options and must not stick to hydro power sources alone.

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“Visayas and Mindanao should also be looking at natural gas as an alternative source of power. Alternative fuels and alternative technologies would be a welcome thing for them, for they can look at nuclear also,” he said.

He revealed that several power stakeholders in Mindanao have already expressed their “openness” in putting up a nuclear power plant in the island during a recent consultation forum with the DOE.

In Cebu, Tamang said there had been interest in putting up its own liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in one of the surrounding islands.

“We're also doing our own exploration because we want to be able to tap our own natural gas like that of the Malampaya deepwater gas-to-power project (in offshore Palawan),” he added.

He said investors are having second thoughts in putting up the LNG facilities in the province unless they have already secured contracts for supply and purchase while other capitalists are waiting instead for the infrastructure to be put in place first, before they forge any agreements.

Meanwhile, Tamang said the government needs at least US$ 5 billion between 2009 and 2014 to fully develop the country’s downstream natural gas industry.

The investment is seen to jumpstart proposed projects to put up gas-fired power plants, which would include greenfield projects that could generate a combined 3,000 MW and power plant conversion projects that could generate an additional 600 MW. (MSN/Sunnex)