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Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Coal-fired power plants to be ready by 2008
The construction of the coal-fired power plant of Korea Electric Power Corp. (Kepco) in Naga, Cebu is still, so far, on schedule.
This means that the power plant will start producing power for consumers in Cebu by December 2008, Cebu power core group chairman Carlos Co said.
“Even if the contract with Visayan Electric Co. will not push through, the construction will push through (until completion),” he said in an interview on the sidelines of the general membership meeting of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Cebu Grand Convention Center.
Co admitted that the burning of coal is hazardous to the environment. But Cebu has no choice but to choose the lesser evil.
“Bunker fuel is also not environment-friendly and it is expensive compared to coal. (If we do not allow Kepco to operate), Cebu will have power shortage in the next years” he said.
Co said Cebu is holding on to Kepco’s promise to invest on environmental protection.
“And as long as the implementation of the policies to protect the environment is made strict, (then air pollution will be minimized),” he said.
National and local government officials already expressed their support for the project during the groundbreaking last year.
Pollutants
Subic Enerzone general manager Dante Pollescas earlier said Kepco’s fluidized bed technology, which dampens the ash-wastes of coal-fired power plants, minimizes the waste pollutants of coal-fired power plants.
Hydro-electric Development Corp. vice president Miguel Salas earlier said the geographical profile of Cebu limits its capacity to produce clean energy.
Aside from Kepco, Mirant Philippines, located in Toledo City, is using coal to run its power plant. (JBN)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 2, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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