New estimate builds a case for new baseload power sources such as geothermal energy
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| (Courtesy CIA.gov) |
The Philippines Department of Energy (DoE) expects the country’s demand for electricity in 2030 to reach 30,189 MW, or nearly 70% more than the current dependable capacity being supplied by the country’s existing power plants.
During the Senate hearing on Aug. 19, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said the DoE’s “very raw study” had estimated the country’s demand by 2030 to grow by 10,191 MW more, assuming a gross domestic product growth forecast of 5% and a population growth of 1.5%.
The new estimate builds a case for new baseload power sources, which are currently supplied mostly by coal-fired power plants.
“Baseload is the foundation,” Mr. Cusi said, citing figures that showed 73% of the committed projects and nearly 84% of the required capacity to be coming from reliable power resources that include coal-fired power plants, geothermal facilities, biomass and nuclear, which has now become an option.
