Balisacan proposes lifting coal moratorium

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines may look into the suspension of the coal moratorium as the global oil crisis pushes countries to diversify energy sources, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan proposed during a Senate hearing on Monday, April 13.

“I know how sensitive we are to the RE (renewable energy) transition but I think that even Japan, Germany, Italy, are revisiting their renewable energy transition, delaying it a bit so that they could respond to the challenges of the current global situation,” said Balisacan.

In 2020, the Philippines imposed a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants to focus on renewable energy transition. The moratorium did not completely stop coal-fired plant projects as some proponents could still apply for non-coverage.

“It doesn’t seem to me a bad idea at all to also think about delaying a bit our transition so that we can diversify our sources of energy and make our industries retain their competitiveness,” said Balisacan.

If the Philippines suspends its coal moratorium, it will follow other countries turning to coal for energy security. Italy is stalling coal shutdown by 13 years. South Korea is also delaying shutdown to prevent power shortages. Thailand is restarting two decommissioned coal plants. Japan is allowing “more use” of coal, according to The Japan Times.

Coal-fired power plants is the Philippines’ baseload source. Electricity is only 3% dependent on diesel, said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin in the same Senate hearing.

“But that doesn’t make it immune from the effects of the increase,” Garin said. “The increase in transportation has increased also the cost of all the other fuels, especially coal which has increased by 20 to 30%.”

The world is supposed to gradually phase out coal, other fossil fuels, as a response to the climate crisis. Coal-fired power generation is considered the dirtiest energy source and a huge contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Diversify sources

Concerns over energy security are increasing pressure to look at other energy sources such as nuclear, waste-to-energy, and biofuels.

Aside from the proposed suspension of coal moratorium, Balisacan recommended allowing the use of lower-grade standard fuels and looking into nuclear power.

Meanwhile, allowing the importation of biofuels is still under consideration because local and international prices are increasing as well, according to Garin.

In the House of Representatives on Monday, lawmakers are also talking about alternative energy sources.

Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez criticized the Senate for failing to pass amendments to the biofuel law. Assistant Majority Floor Leader Brian Poe called for the immediate passage of the waste-to-energy bill and the amendments to the biofuel law. – Rappler.com