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Thursday, January 27, 2005
Apec experts deny pressure to put up more coal plants
By Liberty A. Pinili
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
Organizers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) technical seminar on clean fossil energy assured the public there is no pressure from any international entity or the Philippine Government to build more coal power plants in the country.
Scott Smouse, chairman of the Apec Expert Group on Clean Fossil Energy, said his group “focuses on creating a better understanding of fossil energy issues” in the Asia-Pacific region.
He said, though, that “we cannot turn our back” on coal and other fossil fuels “for a long time.”
But he announced in a news conference during the opening of the Apec technical seminar that the latest technology using coal as energy source is able to reduce harmful substances generated when the fossil fuel is burned.
Environmental groups and people’s organization held a rally yesterday morning outside the Cebu City Marriott Hotel, where the Apec seminar is being held until tomorrow.
The group led by the Cebu Alliance for Renewable Energy (Care), Worldwide Fund for Nature and Greenpeace described the Apec seminar as “farcical” and “scandalous.” They called it a “precursor to the intensified promotion of more dirty coal power plants” in Cebu and other areas of the country.
But Smouse said the Apec seminar is meant to “promote clean fossil energy throughout the region (Asia-Pacific)” and is a venue for sharing knowledge on the latest technology and policies regarding clean fossil energy.
He stressed there is no commitment among country representatives present in the seminar to adopt any of the technology featured in the Apec seminar.
Energy Undersecretary Guillermo Balce said coal fuel is not the only topic tackled in the seminar.
Alternatives
Development of natural gas will be discussed tomorrow, the last day of the technical seminar. Yesterday, all sessions were on coal energy development.
Energy Undersecretary Cyril del Callar said contrary to the claim of environmental groups, the National Government is not only pushing for coal power.
The Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) also provides for the development of alternative sources of energy.
He pointed out that under the PEP, the Visayas grid would need about 150 to 200 megawatts (mw) by 2008 to 2009.
With this scenario, Cebu would need more base load plants to provide additional power and coal power is a “cheaper” available option.
Del Callar said that proposed coal power plants will be required to comply with environmental rules and regulations, particularly on emissions.
In a separate news conference, Salcon Power officials said they are evaluating the issues raised by the public in relation to the two proposed coal plants in Naga.
Clearance
Salcon, in consortium with the Korean Electric Power Co. (Kepco), is proposing to build two 100-mw coal-fired power plants in the southern Cebu town of Naga.
Salcon has a contract with the National Power Corp. (Napocor) to manage and operate the Naga Power Complex.
Salcon chief operation officer Antonio Corpuz said if the permits for the plants are secured on time, a groundbreaking for the projects will be held in November this year.
The two proposed coal-fired power plants are expected to be completed in 2008.
“We have to address the issues because the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) will not grant an ECC (environmental compliance certificate) if we don’t,” Corpuz said.
Although the two land-based gas turbine plants within the Naga Power Complex are scheduled for closure in 2009, Corpuz said there will be no shortage in the Cebu sub-grid once the two proposed plants are completed.
(January 27, 2005 issue)
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