ENERGY SOURCES IN THE PHILIPPINES

NATURAL GAS
About 80 km off the northwest coast of Palawan Island in the South China Sea is
the Malampaya natural gas field, the Philippines’ main domestic source of energy. Once
piped ashore, its natural gas fuels five power plants, which provide half of the electricity
supply for the Philippines’ most populous island of Luzon and the national capital of
Manila. But by the mid-to-late 2020s, Malampaya is expected to run dry. If the
Philippines is to keep Luzon’s lights on and its national economy growing, then it will
need to develop new sources of energy before the current one is depleted.
The Philippines started producing natural gas in the San Antonio Gas Field in
1995 until 2008. Currently, the country’s main source of natural gas is the Malampaya
gas field offshore Palawan. The Malampaya contract is expected to end in 2024, but
supply from the gas field is projected to be depleted by early 2022 or latest by 2027.
Operating since 2001, the Malampaya project supplies fuel to around 40 percent
of gas-fired plants in Luzon, namely the Ilijan, Sta. Rita plant, San Lorenzo, San Gabriel
and Avion plants – which supply over 3,000 megawatts (MW) to the Luzon grid.
Consumption reached 2,299,871 Bcf, of which 2,258,969 Bcf was used for power
generation, 40,178 MMcf in the industrial sector. The transport sector’s consumption
remained unchanged at 184 MMcf until 2014. The country benefits from reducing oil
imports, and a stable supply of cleaner energy than coal, and it meets up to 20% of our
country's energy requirements.
COAL
The Philippines is highly dependent on coal as source for electricity generation.
Coal power plants generated 46.8 million MWh in 2017, making up half of the country’s
power generation mix. Coal mining in the Philippines has a long history dating back to
the 1800s during the Spanish colonization of the islands. The Philippines consumes
more coal than it can produce, and coal is the main source of electricity. 20% of the
country's coal supply is used by the cement industry (in 2005). Semirara Mining
Corporation is the largest coal producer in the country whose primary mine is
in Semirara Island. The company accounts for 92% of the country's coal production
according to the Department of Energy.
The advantages of using coal as energy resources are It is available in an
abundant supply, it has a high load factor, Coal offers a rather low capital investment,
Carbon capture and storage technologies can reduce potential emissions, it can be
converted into different formats, Coal can be used with renewables to reduce
emissions, and it is a full-time energy resource. While, the disadvantages are It is not a
renewable resource, Coal contains a high level of carbon dioxide per British Thermal
Unit, Coal power can create high levels of radiation, Coal emissions are linked to health
concerns, and Coal mines cause relocation and destruction.
HYDROELECTRICITY
Hydropower is one of the earliest technologies used to generate electricity. It is
one of the cheapest and the greenest. It makes use of the energy hidden in the water
flow. It doesn’t generate waste and the greenhouse gas emissions are very low. Despite
all these advantages, it enjoys just a 16% share of the world’s power generation. The
country’s hydropower sector has experienced limited capacity growth in recent years
but still accounts for 18 per cent of total installed capacity, and there are significant
projects under development. From the first delivery of equipment back in 1930 to the
recently commissioned small hydropower plant at Catuiran, ANDRITZ has been
providing high quality electro-mechanical equipment to the Philippines since the earliest
days of national hydropower development. In 2009, when ANDRITZ received some
large rehabilitation orders for Ambuklao, Magat, and Pantabangan, an office was
established in Manila to support the growing market. Since then, ANDRITZ has been
providing technical services, training and spare parts to existing plants, as well as
providing technical assistance for developing new ones. In the last five years, ANDRITZ
has also received orders for small hydro projects. In total, the company has installed or
rehabilitated more than 50 units in the country, with a combined capacity of about 1,600
MW.
The advantages of Hydroelectricity are it’s renewable; Hydroelectricity harnesses
the power of flowing water to generate electricity, It’s clean. It doesn’t pollute; Even
among renewable energy sources, hydropower is one of the least harmful to the
environment, Energy production is adaptable; Hydropower plants allow for flexibility in
electricity generation and their production cost is low; Though hydropower projects are
heavy on the initial investment, the actual cost of producing electricity is lower
compared to other energy sources, both renewable and non-renewable. While the
disadvantages are Large hydroelectric projects need environmental approval, it
demands a high initial investment, and there is a huge risk factor, that leads to methane
emissions, they can cause artificial droughts, and can cause damage to the
environment.

PHILIPPINE LAWS PERTAINING TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Republic Act No. 9147 “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.”
- An act providing for the conservation and protection of wildlife resources and
their habitats, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes. This is one of
the Philippine Environmental Laws that was enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the Philippines in Congress on the 30th of July 2001 and was
assembled this act in 4 chapters (3 articles in the third chapter) and 41 sections.
Republic Act No. 8749: “Philippine Clean Act of 1999”
 - This act was created to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced
and healthy ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Thereby,
promoting and protecting the global environment to attain sustainable
development while recognising the primary responsibility of the local government
units to deal with environmental problems. By this, the state recognises that the
responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is primarily area-based.
This act was enacted on the 19th of July 1998.
Presidential Decree No. 1152: “Philippine Environment Code”
- This act was enacted to address the broad spectrum of the environment. This act
was created to complement the National Environment Protection Council under
Presidential Decree No. 1121 with the launching of a comprehensive program of
environmental protection and management. This is one of the Philippine
Environmental Laws that was enacted by Ferdinand E. Marcos, President of the
Republic of the Philippines in the city of Manila on the 6th of June 1977.
Republic Act No. 3931
- An act creating the National water and air pollution control commission. This is
one of the Philippine Environmental Laws that was enacted by the senate and
house of representatives of the Philippines in congress on the 18th of June of
1964.

REFERENCES:
Foreign Policy Research Institute (2019, September 6). Running Out of Gas: Philippine
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https://www.fpri.org/article/2019/09/running-out-of-gas-philippine-energy-security-and-
the-south-china-sea/
PhilStar Global (2021, March 1). Philippines natural gas output down in 2020. Retrieved
May 1, 2022, from https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/03/01/2080968/philippines-
natural-gas-output-down-2020
Business World (2018, July 7). Philippines’ power generation sources (by plant type).
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https://www.bworldonline.com/infographics/2018/07/07/171077/philippines-power-
generation-sources-by-plant-type/
Vittana.Org Personal Finance Blog (2017, April 11). 14 Advantages and Disadvantages
of Coal. Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://vittana.org/14-advantages-and-
disadvantages-of-coal
Environment Go! (2021, October 2). Top 17 Philippine Environmental Laws. Retrieved
May 1, 2022, from
https://environmentgo.com/philippine-environmental-laws/#4_REPUBLIC_ACT_NO_90
72_National_Caves_and_Cave_Resources_Management_and_Protection_Act