Ludo shows safe operation of coal-fired power plant

CEBU, Philippines - Despite opposition from some groups, the Ludo Power Corp. (LPC) assured that its proposed coal-fired thermal power plant in Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City will be “much better and much improved” in terms of technology.

Nelson Yuvallos, Ludo community relations officer, said that the company assures of a much improved plant compared to other power plants constructed years ago, such as the Sual Power Station, a 2,218 MW coal-fired power station located near the Lingayen Gulf in Sual, Pangasinan.

“This one is 1996 pa nga technology. Dugay na, so ni-evolve na maayo. Mas gwapo pa ang technology karon, so better na siya,” said Yuvallos, during the familiarization tour they initiated last Thursday at the Sual Power Station.

Yuvallos’ statement was supported by the plant manager of the Sual Power Station, Nick Ramos Jr., who said their power plant has been operating for around 20 years already and has never received negative citation from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“Kung kini gani siya compliant na sa DENR, samot na kanang newer technologies,” said Ramos.

Sual Power Station is reportedly the largest and most cost-effective coal-fired power plant in the country. It can generate up to 1,218 megawatts or 20 percent of the total electricity requirement in Luzon.

LPC invited the officials of barangays near Ludo establishment to the Sual Power Station, as well as some residents, members of the media and a city councilor, for them to see that coal-fired power plant will not generate pollution, as claimed by some environmental groups.

Present were barangay captains Ariel Yburan of Sawang Calero; Antonio Caruzca of Pahina San Nicolas; Jojo Sable of Suba, and Elmer Abella of Duljo-Fatima. Cebu City Councilor Richie Osmeña was also there to represent the council.

During the orientation, Yuvallus said they will be buying coal from Indonesia that will already be pulverized, unlike in the Sual Power Station where there is enough area for machineries to pulverize the coal.

He assured that the pulverized coal will not cause dust in the wind since it will be sealed and will not be exposed.

The barangay captains also raised the concern of most of their constituents regarding the fly ash from the power plant that may cause sickness to nearby residents.

Ramos explained that no fly ash will come out of their chimney because when they burn the pulverized coal, the fly ashes will be magnetized by an electro-static precipitator and will be stored in an ash silo. It will then be collected and will be transported by a truck to a cement company that will buy the fly ashes.

In the case of the LPC, Yuvallos said they will be using a barge for transportation since the area in Barangay Sawang Calero is not that big to accommodate trucks.

They also assured that the delivery of the fly ashes will not stop since these are in demand in cement factories.

Ramos showed the white smoke coming out of the chimney of the Sual Power Station which was reportedly due to the steam being released by the steamer of the plant.

He also let the visitors see the numbers of fish pens at the back of their power plant to emphasize that it does not kill aquatic species and in fact, attracts the fishes to their area.

Yuvallos said those who built the Sual Power Station will also be the ones who will build the LPC, saying LPC will also bag the awards that Sual Power Station had received.

“Wala pa na sila gisita sa DENR kay first priority nato is the environment. Mao sad na sa ato didto labi na kahibawo ta nga we are at the center of the city nga daghan kaayo og residents,” said Yuvallos. (FREEMAN)