The Department of Energy (DOE) on Wednesday said the industry needs to install an additional 8,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity by 2028.
According to the DOE, the projected additional power will address anticipated peak demand by households and businesses of up to 25,000 MW from current peak demand of 17,000 MW.
Of the 8,000 MW required, 43 percent is seen generated from renewable energy (RE) sources, another 27 percent from natural gas and the balance provided by coal-powered plants.
“Remember our coal-fired power plants, many of them are young. While some are old, many of them are young and therefore there’s still useful life ahead of them,” said Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, at the sidelines of a post-SONA event in Pasay City.
Lotilla said coal will still come into play as some projects using the technology were committed before the DOE imposed a moratorium on new coal-fired plant projects in 2020.
Natural gas and coal-fired plant may still be developed by 2028.
According to Lotilla, there are proposals converting old coal-fired power plants using new technologies such as ammonia co-firing power plants and other technologies that he hopes will mature in time for the Philippines to take advantage.
