Senator Sherwin Gatchalian stressed that an energy transition is needed to ease the country’s dependence on coal-fired power plants.
“An energy transition measure is necessary as the country gears towards increased use of renewable energy sources,” said Gatchalian.
In the data released by energy think tank Ember, the Philippines’ use of coal in electricity generation rose for the 15th consecutive year in 2023, even with a goal of reducing reliance on the fuel to less than half by 2030.
Furthermore, from January to June 2024, Manila Electric Company’s (MERALCO) average coal generation fee was Php 7.4 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), as opposed to Php 4.18 per kWh for solar, representing a rate differential of around 44%.
Gatchalian added that an energy transition is needed in order to realize the country’s green energy goals as well as ease the reliance on coal-fired energy.
The senator also said that an energy transition plan would fast-track and encourage the use of renewable energy sources, assisting to bring down energy prices and decrease the country’s exposure to global price changes.
Senator Gatchalian has previously filed Senate Bill 157, or the Energy Transition Act, which proposes the creation of an Energy Transition Plan to phase out fossil fuel plants and accomplish net zero emissions by 2050.
