DOE exec says Visayas will have 600 MW from wind, other alternative sources

By Elias O. Baquero

Tuesday, November 20, 2012
IF ALL renewable energy (RE) projects in the Visayas are implemented on schedule, there will be enough electricity in the grid until 2050.
Rey Maleza, supervisor of the energy industry management division of the Department of Energy (DOE), said future wind and hydro power, biomass, and waste-to-energy projects for the Visayas will have a total capacity of 600 megawatts (MW).
He said that while there is an excess of supply in the grid at the moment—2,402 MW to a demand of 1,489 MW—the grid would need 50 MW by 2016 and 100 MW every year after that.
Maleza said during a talk on renewable energy and the electric power industry yesterday the development of RE projects is slowed down by requirements, installation of power lines and opposition from indigenous peoples.
This is why the DOE still allows coal-fired power plants, he said.
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Coal
Power supply in the Visayas grid has been stabilized by new coal-fired plants in the City of Naga, Toledo City, Iloilo and Panay.
In Toledo City, the Global Power Corp. broke ground for another coal-fired plant, with a capacity of 82 MW, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2014.
Maleza said that while coal power plants may emit carbon dioxide that contribute to climate change, these power generation facilities are reliable.
Still, Maleza said, there is a need to focus on development of renewable energy, in line with Republic Act 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 and international agreements that aim to lower carbon emissions.
The law requires power distribution utilities to include RE among their energy sources.
Maleza said, though, that rates for renewable energy are more expensive than those generated by coal plants.