County to continue using coal power plants - DOE

DURING the budget hearing on the budget of the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 2020, Secretary Alfonso Cusi told the members of Congress that the Philippines would continue to rely on coal-fired power plants as the main source of energy to sustain the country’s economic development.

Energy experts hailed this latest development as they cited various reasons to support Secretary Cusi’s stand to achieve stable energy supply and, perhaps, prevent another energy crisis from happening.

COAL AS SOURCE OF ENERGY

Among these reasons are the following:

Affordability. Energy produced from coal fired plants is cheaper and more affordable than other energy sources. Since coal is abundant, it is definitely cheap to produce power using this fuel. Moreover, it is not expensive to extract and mine from coal deposits. Consequently, its price remains low compared to other fuel and energy sources.

Abundance. There are approximately over 300 years of economic coal deposits still accessible. With this great amount of coal available for use, coal fired plants can be continuously fueled in many years to come.

Known technologies. The production and use of coal as a fuel are well understood, and the technology required in producing it is constantly advancing. Moreover, coal-mining techniques are continuously enhanced to ensure that there is a constant supply of coal for the production of power and energy.

Safety. Generally, coal fired plants are considered safer than nuclear power plants. A coal power plant's failure is certainly not likely to cause catastrophic events such as a nuclear meltdown would. Additionally, the welfare and productivity of coal industry employees has greatly improved over the years. In fact, injuries, time lost, and fatalities have decreased significantly in the past years.

Less Expensive. Coal produces much greater amount of electricity than renewable energy sources at lesser cost. It is difficult to generate the quantities of electricity through renewable sources which often relies on the weather for its source of power. Hydro generators need rain to fill dams to supply flowing water.

This development elated the officers and members of the Sual Proprogress who support the planned construction of a second coal-fired power plant in the municipality to be put up by Korean Electric Power Company or KEPCO.

Worth about two billion US dollars, the project is projected to provide thousands of jobs  for Sual residents aside from millions of revenues for the municipality, they said.

The project proponent will be using the latest in coal technology that would greatly reduce if not eliminate pollution altogether.