THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Wednesday called for a balanced energy policy and supported a government plan to lift the moratorium on approving new coal power plants.
“Our economy cannot run on uncertainty. While the transition to renewable energy remains our long-term goal, our immediate priority must be the stability and affordability of our power grid,” PCCI President Ferdinand Ferrer said in a statement.
Recently, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the department is reviewing the 2020 ban on new coal power plants to address the energy supply gap caused by the Iran war.
The moratorium, issued Dec. 22, 2020, stopped new coal project applications. The DOE later clarified that exemptions may apply to self-generating facilities and additional capacity in on-grid and off-grid areas.
Existing policy allows flexibility during energy emergencies, including exemptions for new on-grid coal plants in the event of a declared or imminent power crisis, Garin said.
PCCI mentioned three factors that make an energy policy shift necessary:
– Baseload reliability. As the manufacturing sector expands, the need for a steady, 24/7 baseload of power is critical to prevent the grid alerts that disrupt production.
– Cost competitiveness. High electricity rates remain a primary hurdle for foreign investment. Strategic coal projects offer a path to lowering generation costs for MSMEs and large industries alike.
– Geopolitical resilience. Diversifying the energy mix with efficient coal reduces the Philippines‘ vulnerability to the wild price swings of the global oil and gas markets.
The PCCI also stressed the importance of transition fuels such as natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), which provide flexibility and lower emissions.
“This is not about choosing between coal and renewables; it is about ensuring the lights stay on, businesses remain competitive, and households are protected from rising costs,” PCCI energy director David Chua said.
Policymakers should pursue a realistic and data-driven energy roadmap that maintains adequate baseload capacity, encourages investments in clean coal technologies, expands natural gas and LNG infrastructure, and accelerates renewable energy alongside storage and grid modernization, PCCI said.
“Energy security is national security,” Ferrer added.
