Philippines’ Coal Dependence: A Slow Transition to Clean Energy
The air in limay, a coastal town in the Philippines, carries a heavy burden. The constant hum of coal-fired power plants, operational since 2013, is accompanied by a pungent sulfurous smell. For residents, this isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a health crisis, causing respiratory illnesses and forcing displacement. The irony? The electricity generated here largely powers other parts of the country, leaving Limay residents with high energy bills and few benefits.
This situation highlights a critical challenge facing the Philippines: its persistent reliance on coal despite its vulnerability to climate change and its stated commitment to renewable energy.Derek Cabe, a local activist with the Nuclear and Coal-Free Bataan Movement, eloquently captures the frustration: “Our community should not be collateral damage just so other regions can have electricity.”
The Philippines, a nation acutely susceptible to the impacts of global warming, made a significant pledge at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. The country committed to tripling the world’s renewable energy capacity, aiming for a 35% renewable energy share in its electricity mix by 2030, rising to 50% by 2040. Dini setyawati, a senior electricity policy analyst at ember, a leading energy think tank, notes, “Having that target, you could say the Philippines is one of the more enterprising countries in Southeast Asia, maybe after Vietnam.”
Though,the reality is starkly different. Coal currently fuels 57% of the Philippines’ energy needs, with 28 coal-fired plants boasting a combined capacity of 9.88 gigawatts. Renewables contribute a mere 22% to the energy mix.While the government and industry maintain that a diverse energy portfolio,including coal,is crucial for energy security and meeting growing demand,the human cost in communities like Limay remains undeniable.
“We’re not giving up, even if shutting down coal plants seems wishful. But we definitely want the transition to cleaner energy.Our call remains for a transition that does away with coal and other fossil fuels. As when will transition happen if you keep building new ones?”
Derek cabe, campaigner, Nuclear and Coal-Free Bataan Movement
Renewables Lag Behind
Despite efforts to expand its renewable energy sector, the Philippines continues to see coal’s dominance grow. Coal’s share of electricity generation surged to 61.9% in 2023, up from 59.1% the previous year, according to a July report by Ember. This alarming increase propelled the Philippines to the top of the list of coal-reliant nations in Southeast Asia,surpassing even major coal users like China and Indonesia. While the Philippine department of Energy points out that its absolute coal emissions are lower than those of China and Indonesia, the trend is undeniably concerning.
Ember’s report also highlights the vast untapped potential of wind and solar energy in the Philippines. While progress has been made, with wind and solar generation increasing to 3.7 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2023 from less than 1 TWh in 2015, the path to a truly lasting energy future remains long and challenging. The philippine Department of Energy acknowledges the significant work ahead in accelerating the adoption of renewable energy sources.
The Philippines’ struggle mirrors global challenges in transitioning away from fossil fuels. The need for a just and equitable transition, one that prioritizes both environmental sustainability and the well-being of communities impacted by the energy sector, is paramount. The story of Limay serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of inaction.
Philippines’ Coal Conundrum: Balancing Energy Needs with Environmental Concerns
The Philippines, a Southeast Asian archipelago, is navigating a challenging path toward a sustainable energy future. While striving for economic growth, the nation faces a critical dilemma: how to balance its energy needs with the significant health and environmental consequences of its reliance on coal-fired power plants. This delicate balancing act is especially evident in Bataan, a province on the island of Luzon that has become a hub for coal-powered generation.
The Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) has publicly stated its commitment to renewable energy sources. “But we do not waver on this ambition. We want renewables to become the dominant source of power in the Philippines,” declared Marissa Cerezo, director of the DOE’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau. She emphasized the urgency of this transition, stating, “The primary consideration is to ensure the energy supply for our economic advancement, so we have to increase the share of renewables in a timely and strategic manner so that we don’t compromise the energy security of the country.”
Accelerating the Energy Transition
To expedite this shift, the Philippines is actively enhancing incentives and streamlining regulations to attract both domestic and international investment in renewable energy projects. These incentives include a seven-year income tax holiday (extendable to 21 years), duty-free importation of capital equipment, tax exemptions on carbon credits, and targeted support for off-grid clean energy initiatives.Furthermore, the DOE recently partnered with the Department of Habitat and Natural Resources to accelerate the development of offshore wind energy, aiming to bring the first offshore wind projects online by 2028.
A moratorium on new coal power plants was implemented in 2020 to curb greenhouse gas emissions. However,this moratorium doesn’t apply to existing plants or those already under expansion. This loophole has sparked controversy. “Under the guise of expansion, [coal companies] bypass the moratorium,” noted environmental advocate [Name of Advocate, if available]. The Petron Refinery Power Station in Limay,for example,underwent a 44 MW expansion in 2022,following its initial commissioning in 2013.
The controversy surrounding coal expansion has led to legal challenges. In July, consumer groups filed graft complaints against Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, alleging he permitted the expansion of an AboitizPower coal-fired plant in Cebu despite the moratorium. The DOE maintains that the moratorium isn’t a complete ban and that project proponents can seek review to determine if their projects fall outside the policy’s scope.
Despite the moratorium, nine coal-fired power projects (totaling 2,255 MW), approved before 2020, are slated to bolster the national grid by 2028, according to the DOE. Five of these projects are located in Bataan.
The Human Cost of Power
Bataan’s transformation into a coal-power hub, beginning with the construction of the first coal plant in 2013, has brought significant health and economic challenges to local communities. Residents near these plants report a rise in respiratory illnesses like asthma and pneumonia, along with skin diseases. Concerns about the potential link between coal pollution and cancer have also been raised.
A study revealed the devastating impact of existing coal plants. In 2019, these plants were responsible for 630 air pollution-related deaths in the Philippines, with 68% of these fatalities occurring in Luzon, where Bataan is situated. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and equitable energy transition in the Philippines,balancing the nation’s development goals with the well-being of its citizens and the health of its environment.
Bataan’s Coal fight: A Philippine Community’s Struggle for Clean Energy
Residents of Bataan, Philippines, are locked in a fierce battle against the health and environmental consequences of coal-fired power plants, highlighting a growing global concern about the need for a just and equitable transition to cleaner energy sources. The fight underscores the urgent need for a national plan to phase out coal, a challenge facing many developing nations.
A 2020 study by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) projected a staggering 103 percent increase in premature deaths in Bataan due to air pollution if proposed coal projects were completed. This grim prediction underscores the immediate and severe health risks associated with coal combustion, releasing harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter that exacerbate respiratory illnesses, particularly impacting children and the elderly.
Beyond the health crisis,the construction of these power plants and related infrastructure has displaced communities and destroyed traditional fishing grounds,exacerbating existing socioeconomic inequalities. “That’s unfair to us, and we don’t even benefit except for minimal corporate social obligation projects,” laments a Bataan resident, highlighting the inequitable distribution of the benefits and burdens of coal power.
A Path Away from Coal: The Urgent Need for Transition
The Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) is promoting the “voluntary early and orderly decommissioning or repurposing of existing coal-fired power plants.” This initiative, however, needs a robust framework. Early retirement of coal plants by just five years could prevent the release of approximately 290 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions – nearly double the Philippines’ annual emissions, according to TransitionZero analysis. This analysis identifies several plants, including the Cebu Energy Development Corp coal plant, Quezon Power Plant, and SEM-calaca Power Corporation coal plant, as prime candidates for early retirement.
TransitionZero’s analysis projects that without intervention, the Philippines’ coal fleet will continue operating until 2047-2051. Energy Secretary Raphael lotilla has stated that the country requires up to US$500 billion in investments to retrofit or phase out fossil fuel plants, emphasizing the significant financial commitment needed for a successful energy transition. This significant investment highlights the scale of the challenge and the need for comprehensive planning and international collaboration.
Experts stress the need for a clear phase-out plan, outlining contract terms, land ownership, and early retirement options. Furthermore,reducing reliance on natural gas is crucial,as increased investment in liquefied natural gas risks creating import dependency,an “expensive option,” according to Ember’s Setyawati. Strengthening grid capacity and inter-island connections are also vital components of a successful transition.
While acknowledging the long road ahead, given the relative newness of Bataan’s coal plants, the community remains resolute. “we’re not giving up, even if shutting down coal plants seems wishful. But we definitely want the transition to cleaner energy,” says a community leader.”Our call remains for a transition that does away with coal and other fossil fuels.Becuase when will transition happen if you keep building new ones?”
