August 27, 2019 | 9:50 pm
THE Energy secretary
said Tuesday that his department is not ruling out the use of nuclear power “as
an option,” days after his officials announced that a survey firm has been
tapped to examine Filipino attitudes on the energy source.
“We are pushing for
nuclear as an option,” Department of Energy (DoE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi
told legislators during a hearing at the House of Representatives to discuss
the department’s budget.
Mr. Cusi was responding
to a question on the share of coal energy in the country’s generating capacity
mix, for which he has been firm in saying that the department has a
“technology-neutral” policy in approving applications to build new power
plants.
During the hearing, he
also said that the DoE will approve new coal-fired power plant projects if
needed, despite the country’s pledge before the international community to
reduce its greenhouse gas emission by 70% by 2030 relative to
business-as-usual.
“If we need it, I will
[approve]. If it’s not needed I won’t,” Mr. Cusi said, a response one
legislator called “evasive.”
He said the country
remains “poor” in energy security and accessibility, even as it leads in
environmental sustainability.
“We have adopted this
technology-neutral policy,” he told the panel.
He said coal still
serves a purpose for the country’s baseload requirements, or the sustained 24/7
power supply. He added that emissions do not come mainly from power plants,
citing the transport sector also as a contributor.
In 2018, of the
country’s 21,241 megawatts of installed energy capacity, coal power plants
accounted for 39%, followed by renewable energy with 31%.
Natural gas and
oil-based plants trailed with a share of 16% and 14%, respectively.
Earlier this month,
Energy officials said the DoE commissioned the Social Weather Stations polling
organization to conduct a perception survey on nuclear energy, the result of
which will be vetted by Cabinet secretaries ahead of its presentation to the
Office of the President.
“We are undergoing
assessment on what to do with Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, and we have submitted
our proposed national policy to the Office of the President. We are waiting for
that and once it is approved, we will be able to determine what to do,” Mr.
Cusi told the panel.
The DoE is proposing a
2020 budget of P2.3 billion, of which P500 million will go to the government’s
total electrification program in partnership with the National Electrification
Administration and National Power Corp.
“Our budgetary request
will support plans and programs that will help ensure the security of our
country’s energy future, increase access to energy services and technologies,
further uphold consumer welfare, and facilitate the efficient implementation of
new energy policies such as the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, the
Murang Kuryente Act, and the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act,” Mr. Cusi said
in his opening statement.
Of DoE’s proposed
budget, P1.14 billion or almost 50% is for maintenance and other operating
expenses; P521 million or 23% for capital outlays; P580 million or 25% for
personal services; and P52 million or 2% for retirement and life insurance
premiums. — Victor V. Saulon
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