Mirant assures pollution free power plants

By Leny G. Gabo

Contrary to fears of some sectors Mirant Philippines, the biggest power producer in the Philippines , told Iloilo reporters that the coal-fired power plants they operate are pollution free.

Rene Morente , Chemical Engineer of Mirant Philippines explained Mirant has come up with high technology design to protect the environment and the people from pollution.

Joyce Gacutan , Public Relations Officer of Mirant's Sual Plant in Pangasinan , said that the power plant has passed the ISO 14001. In fact, she said, they have received citations for Environmental Management System, 2001 success stories on Environmental Stewardship and 2002 Mother Nature Awards by PCAPI and 2002 & 2004 Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan Institutional Awards by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Gacutan said the company has emissions control technology, which is in compliance with the Clean Air Act and World Bank standards. In addition, there is also the 226 meters high chimney, electrostatic precipitator, Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) technology and a Buffer Zone Tree planting.  

Further, the company boasts of a wastewater treatment plant that treats all wastewater before being discharged . There is also the Liner System technology for the coal yard and ash disposal site and a sedimentation basin and leachate collection ponds.

Gacutan said the company has undergone intensive studies in order to meet the standards of a power plant. She added that it is their responsibility to ensure the safety of the people and also the environment.

She further explained that they have conducted tree planting in the nearby areas in order to ensure that there would be carbon dioxide absorber and for a greener environment.

To ensure the safety of the people in the nearby areas, she said, a multipartite monitoring team was formed to conduct marine/temperature monitoring, air quality monitoring, training on vegetation and wildlife monitoring and participatory resource appraisal.

The Sual coal fired power pant in Pangasinan is the biggest power provider in the country. It is a 1,200-megawatt power plant. It is considered as the cheapest and biggest electricity provider with two generating units of 609 MW each and an excess capacity of 218MW.  

The plant was constructed in February 1996 and began its commercial operation in October 1999. The plant was built under a 25-year BOT scheme with 1,000 MW energy Conversion Agreement with NPC. A team of 379 exceptional employees runs it.