Aboitiz Power Corporation plans to meet the country’s future baseload electricity needs while using economies of scale to alleviate some cost and energy security concerns.
In a statement, AboitizPower Thermal Group Chief Engineering and Projects Officer Don Paulino said that the country should consider the required megawatts (MW) needed and what portfolio is required as the country advances, adding that “because, from a value chain perspective, there are economies of scale in building power plants.”
Paulino explained that power producers capitalize on careful planning and economies of scale to streamline operations, optimize resources, and lower the overall expenses of building large-scale baseload power plants, including coal and nuclear projects.
“From a Philippine perspective, we need to look at it more holistically. We need to make sure that the current baseload that we have is running efficiently. It’s about optimizing the current capability so that we can have stable power whilst waiting for the newer technologies,” Paulino added.
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) strategic framework not only emphasizes expanding renewable energy’s (RE) role to surpass 50% of the power mix by 2050 but also highlights the importance of port infrastructure development for offshore wind projects.
Additionally, it sets ambitious nuclear energy goals, with plans for 1,200 MW of capacity by 2032 and a future increase to 4,800 MW by 2050.
Previously, liquefied natural gas was proposed as a flexible fuel that can handle the intermittent nature of RE resources and maintain grid stability.
“In AboitizPower, we want to help enable the renewable sector to grow, and that’s why we’re aiming for 50% of our portfolio to be renewable,” the AboitizPower executive shared.
