Philippines invests in clean coal

MANILA, Philippines, June 30 (UPI) -- The Philippines is pushing for clean coal technologies.

Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes is calling for incentives supporting new technologies including "bridge fuel" to help avert a power crisis in the near future.

Reyes said the government is supporting coal projects that use new technologies that will help to eliminate greenhouse gases.

"I understand that this technology is widely used in many countries, like Korea, Germany, U.S. and Japan. Until such time that the renewables will come in and kick in and really be available on a commercial basis, then we still have to use coal in its cleanest state-of-the-art form -- clean coal technology," he said.

A number of groups are opposed to the use of coal-fired power plants because of their negative effects on the environment.

Among the coal plants soon to be put up in the country are the 100-megawatt Semirara project in Concepcion, Iloilo; the 200-megawatt Kamanga power plant of Conal Holdings Corp. in Sarangani, Mindanao; and the 200-megawatt Naga power plant of Korea Electric Power Co. and Salcon Power Corp.

Coal-fired power plants currently account for 30 percent of the Luzon power generation mix and 25 percent for the entire country.