The start of operations of new power plants added 237 megawatts to the country’s power grid in the first half, according to the Energy Department.
This brought total installed capacity in the country to 21,621 MW as of end-June, which could cover the peak demand of less than 14,000 MW, data showed.
The additional capacity came from the 150-megawatt Limay coal-fired plant (unit 1) in Bataan, the 18-MW Mariveles solar farm also in Bataan and the 60-MW First Toledo solar farm in Cebu.
Data showed the Philippines’ peak demand reached 13,683 MW, including 10,054 MW in Luzon; 1,933 MW in the Visayas; and 1,696 MW in Mindanao.
The bulk of the country’s installed capacity was in the Luzon grid at 15,128 MW, followed by the Visayas at 3,352 MW and Mindanao at 3,141 MW.
The country’s dependable capacity, however, was only 19,536 MW, with Luzon at 13,874 MW, the Visayas at 2,945 MW and Mindanao at 2,716 MW.
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi earlier said the Philippines would require an additional capacity of 43,765 megawatts by 2040, of which 25,265 MW representing baseload requirements; 14,500 MW, mid-merit capacity; and 4,000 MW, peaking power plants.
“Hopefully, with Dutertenomics attracting the adequate level of private investments, we can reach our targeted additional power capacity by year 2040 at 43,765 MW,” he said.
The Philippines’ installed capacity increased by more than 2,000 megawatts in 2016, following the commercial operations of several power plants such as the 300-MW Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp., the 450-MW San Gabriel natural gas plant, the FDC Misamis coal plant, the 150-MW SMC Malita coal plant, the 135-MW Palm Concepcion coal plant and 132.5-MW Helios solar farm.
“We are determined to achieve the ideal and dependable 70-20-10 energy mix, through massive infrastructure and development with the indispensable participation of the private sector,” Cusi said.
“The quest to explore and use local or indigenous sources of energy, like renewables, fossil fuels and alternative fuels will continue as a matter of policy. And this age of rapidly developing technology, as we will even encourage the entry of clean, efficient and smart technologies in the market,” the energy chief said.