DOE 'open' to new coal plants amid crisis concerns

The Department of Energy (DOE) said it is open to lifting the moratorium on building new coal-fired power plants as the Middle East conflict threatens global oil supply.

"We are open to coal as long as it's cleaner technology, and there will be a transition plan to eventually transition to cleaner," Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said.

Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan earlier proposed the lifting of the six-year-old moratorium on new coal-fired power plants to boost the country's energy security amid the high fuel prices.

Garin said that despite the existence of the moratorium, the DOE issued a circular last year allowing coal plants for "own use, or if there's an energy crisis or other circumstances that would justify" it.

"In times of crisis, coal still remains one of the cheapest options we have for power generation," she said.

"On the comment of Secretary Arsie (Balisacan), we are studying the expansion of that exception, but we need to study it properly because the problem is diesel, and diesel is not really a major factor in terms of power generation. In the Philippines, it's more on the transportation side," she added.

Garin also said the department will consider other options for energy sources, such as renewable energy or nuclear energy.

Earlier, the DOE said coal still accounts for 63% of the country's power generation. —LDF, GMA News