The Department of Energy (DOE), likely in coordination with the National Power Corp. (NPC), plans ramping up the biodiesel mix sharply to 55 percent among power generation companies as part of the larger goal of reducing the country’s carbon footprint.
“We are looking at all diesel facilities. Of course, we may use NPC facilities in conducting tests, if necessary,” Mario Marasigan, DOE assistant secretary, said in a message to reporters.
The proposal is separate from the mandate requiring transport vehicles to observe a phased annual increase in biodiesel mix from 2 percent at the moment to 3 percent beginning 1 October this year and the next two years thereafter.
“Using 55 percent biofuel blend will correspond to converting a diesel engine into a biodiesel engine, similar to a biomass power plant,” Marasigan said.
Apart from lower carbon emissions, the plan reduces the country’s need to import expensive oil while helping cut the retail price of fuel at the pumps, he added.
Marasigan also said the various fuel retailers may volunteer to double the ethanol blend in gasoline to 20 percent from 10 percent at the moment.
DOE data as at end-2023 show diesel-, hybrid diesel- and bunker-diesel-fired power plants both on-grid and off-grid as responsible for 9.6 percent of the aggregate installed capacity of 2,744 megawatts.
Power companies in the Philippines are predominantly or 60 percent coal-fired. Expensive natural gas accounts for the other 18 percent. The balance are accounted for by renewable energy sources as hydro, solar and wind.
