The country’s installed on-grid power grew 5 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, with coal still dominating the power mix, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).
With this development, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the Philippines is on track to hit 35 percent and 50 percent target renewable energy (RE) share by 2030 and 2040, respectively.
The total installed on-grid capacity stood at 28,258 megawatts (MW) against 2021’s 26,882 MW.
Coal continues to lead the power mix with an installed capacity of 12,428 MW, up 6.5 percent from 11,669 MW or an overall share of 43.9 percent for the period.
Installed capacity from fuel oil-based power plants followed with a total of 3,834 MW, hardly changed from 3,847 MW or 13.6 percent of the power mix.
Hydroelectric power plants with 3,745 MW were next in the ranking but posted a minimal 0. 19 percent drop from 3,752 MW. Its overall share in the mix stood at 13.3 percent.
The installed capacity from natural gas-fired power plants increased by 8 percent to 3,732 MW from 3,453 MW or an overall share of 13 percent as the total capacity of geothermal power plants rose 1.24 percent to 1,952 MW from 1,928 MW or an overall share of 6.9 percent.
Solar power plant capacity totaled 1,530 MW for the period from 1,317 MW, equivalent to a 16 percent increase or 5.4 percent of the power mix.
Capacity contribution of biomass power plants also increased to 611 MW from 489 MW, a 24.9 percent boost, the largest improvement among power sources to the power mix equal to 2.16 percent.
The total installed capacity of wind power plants was unchanged at 427 MW, its share to total power mix now at 1.5 percent.
Lotilla in a video uploaded by the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. said helping achieve the country’s renewable energy targets are the Green Energy Auction and the Renewable Portfolio Standard that create the market for renewable energy.
“We are looking at RE complementing the conventional sources of power as we aspire for more clean energy sources,” Lotilla said.
Lotilla added the wholesale electricity spot market plays an important role in making the energy sector competitive since it is mostly under the control of the private sector.
“The energy sector is largely in private hands and therefore we need to promote competition and transparency especially in the market and pro-competitive behavior is important to ensure that indeed competition forces will be at work in order to bring affordable prices to our people including industry and manufacturing that creates jobs,” he said.
