Philippine coal-fired power plants are looking for other possible sources of the fossil fuel amidst Indonesia’s ban on coal exports.
Based on a BusinessWorld report, Aboitiz Power Corporation — the country’s largest power generator — said it is looking to Australia and Russia since these have the third and fourth highest coal reserves other than China.
Nonetheless, AboitizPower President and CEO Emmanuel Rubio said the firm sees no major disruptions in the operations of its plants.
Meanwhile, Manny V. Pangilinan-led Global Business Power Corporation (GBP) has assured that existing supply is able to cover coal requirements for January and February. GBP imports coal from Indonesia and sources it locally from Consunji-led Semirara Mining and Power Corporation’s facility in Mindoro.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Corporation President Ramon Ang thinks the Indonesian Coal Exporters Association has a solution to the possible effects of the exports’ suspension.
Indonesia implemented the coal export ban on New Year’s Day to save supply for its domestic needs. The ban is expected to last a month.
Coal comprises over half of power produced in the Philippines in 2020, with imported coal having an 86% share of thermal energy used in the country. Of the coal imports, 96.9% is supplied by Indonesia, based on data from the Department of Energy (DOE).
Meanwhile, Senate energy committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian called on the DOE to implement contingency measures to ensure sufficient coal supply and avoid possible coal price hikes and blackouts.
