posted March 22, 2018 at
06:40 pm by Alena Mae S. Flores
The Center for Energy,
Ecology and Development on Thursday criticized power retailer Manila Electric
Co. for pushing power supply agreements with coal-fired power plant developers
by using as an excuse the expected higher electricity demand during the dry
months.
“Meralco and its
affiliate coal companies have pushed for the approval and operation of their
coal-fired power plants under the guise of protecting consumers from power
outages,” Gerry Arances, executive director of CEED, said in a statement.
He said the agreements
were being questioned especially its impact on the environment and possible
increase in power rates.
The Office of the
Ombudsman earlier ordered the suspension of four commissioners of the Energy
Regulatory Commission over allegations of anomalous coal PSAs.
Arances said some wind
and solar contracts became cheaper than coal. He said that under the seven coal
PSAs of Meralco, the average rate of coal electricity was P3.65 per kWh.
Meralco recently
received offers from wind and solar developers at a lower rate of P3.50 per kWh
and P2.99 per kWh, respectively.
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