A coal-fired power plant in the province of Masinloc north of Manila emits smoke. (File photo courtesy of the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development)
Jul 15 2021
Pro-environment and faith-based groups this week challenged corporate giant San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to abandon all its coal projects to live up to its commitment to support sustainable energy.
On July 11, SMC announced that it is “adding more renewables into its power portfolio” with the construction of solar plants and 31 Battery Energy Storage System facilities in 10 locations across the country.
In a statement, SMC president Ramon S. Ang said the move is “to ensure that as we transition to cleaner sources, we will not undermine our commitment to meet the growing demand for affordable and reliable energy.”
Ang said the project is expected to be fully operational by 2023 and “will allow for the integration of over 3,000 MW of intermittent renewable power sources to the Grid.”
The company also announced its plan to build a 1,300 MW liquified natural gas (LNG) combined cycle plant in Batangas City and 8 to 10 small-scale LNG plants in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, national director of Caritas Philippines, said welcomed SMC’s initiative to “provide alternative and sustainable solutions to urgent climate concerns.”
Read the full news in LiCAS.news.
