Regenerative solutions for a cleaner tomorrow
In the Philippines, many businesses are powered by coal, which has been perceived as a more available and affordable option. However, it is not sustainable, and is not always even the most affordable option available. Using coal as an energy source is harmful not only to one’s health, but to the environment as well. That is why First Gen is taking the first step towards a decarbonized and renewed Philippines through the use of natural gas. As the pioneer of natural gas in the Philippines, First Gen is working towards restoring the environment while powering today’s generation with cleaner energy sources.
But what are the benefits of natural gas, and how can it help in decarbonizing the Philippines? While the benefits of using renewable energy sources are well-known, relatively little is known about natural gas, especially about how it can become the transition fuel to increase the use of renewable energy in the country, which makes it an important step towards decarbonization.
So, why is decarbonization important? By reducing carbon dioxide emissions, we can help make the Philippines a cleaner and healthier place to live in. Carbon dioxide emissions contribute to smog, which is harmful both to our well-being and the environment. Coal is an energy source that emits a lot of carbon dioxide, especially when used to power big facilities like factories or other users of the electricity it produces, so prolonged use of this energy source is not sustainable and worsens the climate crisis. Unfortunately, coal still powers a significant amount of the country’s energy demand today. Clearly, something must be done to improve the power sector’s sustainability, however, at this point, sustainability is no longer enough. This is why First Gen is advocating going beyond sustainability and working towards a regenerative solution by using natural gas as an energy source to aid in the transition to a future fully powered by renewable energy instead of coal.
Natural gas is the cleanest of all fossil fuels. It emits up to 60% less carbon dioxide than coal, and it does not leave behind ash, sludge, and other particulate matters that are detrimental to one’s health and the environment. This means that switching to natural gas as an energy source can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions and pollution, allowing companies to power their businesses in a cleaner, healthier, and eco-friendly way.
How can natural gas help decarbonize the country? Combined with renewable energy, it becomes a cleaner, more reliable option for our power requirements. Natural gas greatly complements renewable energy sources by acting as a support or backup because renewable energy sources—while clean, can also be intermittent, or not always available. Natural gas is a reliable solution to the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like solar and wind, because natural gas plants can provide power in as fast as 15 minutes when these are not available. Thus, switching to natural gas will make it easier for companies to use and rely on renewable energy sources. Until renewable energy sources can stand on their own, natural gas will be used as a back-up fuel to keep the lights on.
First Gen operates four natural gas-fired power plants, and, in doing so, avoided releasing 6.9 million tons of carbon dioxide (versus using coal) in 2020. This is equivalent to removing 1.5 million vehicles off the road, or recycling 2.35 million tons of waste, or planting 114 million trees over a course of ten years!
By using natural gas as their energy source, businesses can contribute to a collective effort towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions, powering their facilities with cleaner energy while helping restore the environment and fight climate change.
Take the first step towards a regenerative and decarbonized Philippines with First Gen and natural gas for a cleaner tomorrow!
INQUIRER.net BrandRoom/TV
