Those dirty, aged and disastrous coal powered plants (Conclusion)

By Dr. Bob Ocio

Isyo ug Servicio

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

II. Long term Solutions:

A. “New Localized Hydroelectric Plants in Mindanao

The IPPs argued that the Hydroelectric power is unreliable and not enough. The answer is not really.

"For the long-term power supply, the provincial and municipal governments should submit applications to the DOE for the development of hydropower plants, both large and small, in their respective territories that have been determined to be the least-cost hydropower plants in those areas.

Such hydropower plants will include the Tagoloan 2 (68 MW) in Bukidnon, the Uguiaban hydro plant (175 MW) on the Cagayan River, the Agus 3 (225 MW) in Lanao del Norte, Mainit hydro (25 MW) in Agusan Norte, Maganoy No. 5 hydro (300 MW) on the Agusan River, the Tandik and other small hydro plants (total of 15 MW) in the Compostela Valley, and the Dapitan small hydro plants (total of 10 MW) in Zamboanga Norte. There are many other economically viable small hydropower plants all over Mindanao.

It should be the LGUs that will apply for and own the hydropower plants (to be constructed in partnership with the private sector) to keep down the rates of generation from the plants (because of the lower IRR required by LGU’s compared with the private sector).

With the LGU’s applying for development of hydro plants, the permitting process should take a shorter time for approval compared to applications by the private sector, say one year vs. three or more years. It will take longer, though, to arrange for ODA or other soft loans to finance the projects."

B. SOLAR ENERGY can be viable. Construct Solar PV Plants throughout Mindanao

"Electric cooperatives and LGU’s should petition the ERC for approval of higher feed-in tariff for solar PV of around 16 pesos per kWh (which was determined by NREB to be viable during the FIT hearings last year), and upon approval construct 100 MW or more of solar PV plants throughout Mindanao.

The proposal of the DOE to deploy modular gen-sets will be used to justify the higher FIT for solar PV. The diesel gen-sets will cost 18 pesos per kWh, and have rate impact of four pesos per kWh, while the solar PV will cost 16 pesos/kWh, and have rate impact of less than five centavos per kWh (because of the operation of the FIT mechanism).

The AMRECO, Mindanao LGU’s, Chambers of Commerce, and Mindanao NGO’s could initiate the petitions."

C. MASSIVE REHABILITATION OF OUR WATERSHEDS (Our permanent recommendation)

Cagayan de Oro and the rest of the country is losing its forests which hold the water to keep hydro electric power generation. If we do so, we will not only provide us with a cheaper cost of power generation and supply but also reduce the incidence of floods and disasters. Moreover, the soil will also increase its water absorption capacity and fertility to restore our ailing sustainable food production capacity and housing supply needs which has brought millions of people to the congested cities for the dismal conditions in the countryside.

Nixon A. Baban, (chairman of Bangon Kagay-an) studying another Writ of Kalikasan

Cagayan de Oro & Misamis Oriental share the same airshed that is now part of our study for another Writ of Kalikasan case. Yes, absolutely right, we have to grow. So, to grow, there more reasons not to build the coal plant here again. We have played host to one (STEAG), don't you think that is enough? Agus Hydropower Plant in Pulangi used to provide 50 percent of the Mindanao's power supply, its breakdown caused the power shortages. Despite that Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental have been spared. IT IS NOT CDO or MIS. OR. THAT NEEDS ADDITIONAL ENERGY SOURCE. The better option is to make Agus Hydropower Plant 100 percent functional where it can provide 982 Megawatts twice the capacity of these coal plants. Rehabilitating it will extend its life for another 30 years. This is common sense, but some business interests find this unprofitable. And please do not debate to us about the health issues. The burden of proof lies on those who claim that COAL ENERGY does not cause harm to our health. We thousands of link and studies to show its ill-effects. Why do you suppose China, the US or Germany has banned this? Cagayan de Oro & Misamis Oriental share the same AIRSHED, that is now part of our study for another Writ of Kalikasan case.   source

part 2

part 1