By Mark Saludes, LiCAS.news
Manila: Pro-environment and faith-based groups have challenged corporate giant San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to abandon all its coal projects to live up to its commitment to support sustainable energy.
On July 11, SMC announced that it is “adding more renewables into its power portfolio” with the construction of solar plants and 31 Battery Energy Storage System facilities in 10 locations across the country.
In a statement, SMC president Ramon S Ang said the move is “to ensure that as we transition to cleaner sources, we will not undermine our commitment to meet the growing demand for affordable and reliable energy.”
Ang said the project is expected to be fully operational by 2023 and “will allow for the integration of over 3,000 MW of intermittent renewable power sources to the Grid.”
The company also announced its plan to build a 1,300 MW liquified natural gas (LNG) combined cycle plant in Batangas City and 8 to 10 small-scale LNG plants in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, national director of Caritas Philippines, welcomed SMC’s initiative to “provide alternative and sustainable solutions to urgent climate concerns.”
The prelate, however, said the Catholic Church still demands SMC to cancel its applications for coal-fired and fossil gas power plants in many parts of the country.
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