Greenpeace opposes coal-fired power plants

CEBU, Philippines – Environment group Greenpeace is against the construction of additional coal-fired power plants in Cebu, saying the effects of exposure to coal could be very detrimental.

Amalie Obusan, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Climate and Energy campaigner, said that while coal is considered to be the cheapest fuel, what should be given more consideration are its long term effects rather than the penny that could be saved.

In the long run, using coal would reportedly trigger diseases among humans, acid rain, smog pollution and would contribute to climate change phenomena.

“Pushing for coal-fired power plants in Cebu is not only irresponsible, but completely ignores the vast renewable energy potential of the island,” Obusan said.

There are two power plants that would soon open in Cebu — one in Naga City and another in Toledo City. The 200-MW plant in Naga, which is expected to be fully operational by 2011, is a joint project of the Korean power company Kepco and the Salcon Power Corporation.

The one in Toledo City is also undergoing construction.

Obusan said coal-fired plants are being more pushed to address recent power shortages in the city but the problem really is not the lack of supply but on the technical aspect of distribution, particularly the submarine transmission cable in Leyte, which connects to Cebu.

Obusan said coal-fired power plants are not the only solution to the problem and that other simpler measures can actually be adopted, like using Light Emitting Diodes in households.

LED reportedly consumes lesser energy compared to ordinary fluorescent bulbs.

Other effective solutions are using solar energy and decentralizing energy distribution are two other solutions, Obusan said.

Obusan said the challenge now lies on the public to choose whether they would prefer not to bit yet again by another blackout for a day or suffer long-term illnesses such as asthma and other respiratory complications caused by exposure to coal. — AJ de la Torre/JMO (THE FREEMAN)