PRIORITY PROJECT
Tupas's priority this year: Coal power plant for the province

By Erly C. Garcia and Leny G. Gabo

Despite mounting protests, Gov. Niel D. Tupas Sr. is bent on pushing for the realization of a coal fired power plant in the province this year.

"The installation of a coal fired power plant in the province would be one of my priorities for 2005," Tupas told Capitol beat reporters.

The coal power plant, he said, would add to the supply of power needed by the province which is under threat of a looming power crisis as declared by energy officials.

Tupas said the coal power plant is a "better and cheaper alternative we have."

He said two investors are interested in putting up coal power plants in the province namely, David M Consunji Holding Inc. and Mirant Power Corp. Philippines .

"The opportunity is for us to grab, we should take this chance," he said.

Tupas said the need for a coal power plant for the province is urgent as energy experts forecast that by 2007 the province would experience shortage of power supply.

"We really need to add our power source since it would be needed when the international airport becomes operational," the governor said.

The international airport in Cabatuan-Sta. Barbara, which is undergoing construction, is expected to be finished by year 2006.

The News Today learned that DMCI is eyeing the municipality of Concepcion as an ideal site for their coal power plant project.

Mirant, on the other hand, is reportedly eyeing Brgy. Santiago in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo .

Barotac Viejo is the hometown of Governor Tupas.

Preliminary consultation with the residents of Brgy. Santiago was reportedly made by Mirant last week of December 2004.

The municipal government of Concepcion , reportedly, has already entered into a memorandum of agreement with DMCI with regard to the proposed coal power plant project.

Environmentalists under the Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy (Rise) strongly oppose the installation of coal fired power plant in the province saying that it contributes to most of the global greenhouse gas emissions.

The group contends that a 100 MW circulating fluidized bed power plant is estimated to release 207,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide as carbon per year.

It added that coal power plants aggravate climate change by emitting massive amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

To recall, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo rejected last March 2, 2004 the application by Korea Electric Power Company (Kepco) for the establishment of a 100 MW coal-fired power plant in Banate, Iloilo .

Among the reasons cited for the rejection were environmental and health hazards.