Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), the parent of Atimonan One Energy Inc. (A1E), hopes the Department of Energy completes its review of the coal moratorium exemption for the 1,200-megawatt Atimonan power plant in Quezon before its June board meeting.
On the sidelines of Meralco’s Giga Summit last week, MGen President and CEO Emmanuel Rubio stated that they are seeking DOE clarification on which aspects of the Atimonan project face additional scrutiny. Rubio stated that the DOE, having issued the exemption letter, knows he plans to present it for board approval in June, with operations expected by late 2029 to early 2030.
Rubio also highlighted the project’s importance in meeting the ever-growing baseload demand and participating in the DOE’s upcoming baseload capacity auction set for December. He also stressed that the plant’s Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) would be among the most competitive in the market.
As part of the DOE’s conditions, Meralco has committed to repurpose the plant by 2050 to utilize alternative fuels, such as ammonia, or cease operations if it remains coal-dependent. Rubio said MGEN is working with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractors to ensure that the plant’s boiler design can handle ammonia co-firing technologies.
The Atimonan project’s continuation showcases the broader challenges facing the Philippine energy sector: balancing the urgent need for reliable, cost-effective power supply against the longer-term goal of reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
While government policy increasingly pushes for renewable energy development, coal remains a large component of the current energy mix, particularly for addressing immediate energy concerns in Luzon and the Visayas.
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Photo credit: Bilyonaryo website
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