No total ban on coal power plants in PH, gov’t clarifies

Authorities clarify the coverage of a 2020 moratorium.

The Philippines’ Department of Energy (DOE)-Electric Power Industry Management Bureau clarified the coverage of the Coal Moratorium Policy, noting that this does not mean a total ban on coal-fired power plants in the country. 

To recall, the policy issued in December 2020 imposed a moratorium on building new coal power plants to boost the transition towards cleaner sources.

The bureau clarified that this policy does not cover existing and operational coal-fired power generation facilities as well as any coal-fired power projects considered committed power projects; existing power plant complexes which already have firm expansion plans and existing land site provisions; and indicative power projects with substantial accomplishments, particularly with signed and notarised land acquisition or lease agreement for the projects, and with approved permits or resolution from local government units and the Regional Development Council where the power plants will be located. 

After review and verification, the bureau said a project proponent may request to the DOE for the issuance of certification that a project is not covered by the moratorium. 

“Several proponents of coal-fired power projects have requested the DOE’s confirmation on non-coverage and these were ministerially issued after verification,” authorities said.