6 power projects endorsed for operating permits

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) has endorsed six existing and newly built power plant projects to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in November, a development that could advance them to launching commercial operations.

Based on a document posted on its website, the facilities have a combined capacity of 440.173 megawatts (MW).

Of the total endorsements, three are diesel power plants, while two are solar projects. Meanwhile, only one coal-fired power plant has been granted with the certificate of endorsement (CoE). A CoE is a requirement that a power producer must have to secure a certificate of compliance (CoC).

The plants are the Malita Circulating Fluidized Bed Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant; the Lumbangan Solar Power Project; the Paranas Solar Power Project; the Aborlan Peaking Power Plant of DMCI; the Santa Fe, Romblon Diesel Power Plant; and the Zumarraga Diesel Power Plant.

READ: PH to rely on coal-fired plants amid green energy push

ERC chair and chief executive officer Monalisa Dimalanta previously said that the ban on new coal-fired power plants would reduce or limit the number of permits.

She said that the only time a coal plant can get a CoE is if it is exempted from the moratorium.

In late 2020, the DOE imposed a moratorium to cut carbon emissions and support the government’s push to shift to clean energy. However, in July, the DOE clarified that there was no total ban on developing coal-fired power plants in the country. Existing and operational facilities that have made commitments for expansion can still pursue these.

Since January, the DOE said it granted endorsements to 138 power projects, 47 of which were renewable energy projects.

Moreover, the DOE also cleared seven energy projects for a system impact study with the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, an evaluation meant to determine the grid system’s capacity to accommodate fresh capacities.

The government wants to increase clean energy’s share in the power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030 from the current 22 percent.