Duterte urges private sector to invest in clean energy

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte encouraged private sectors on Thursday to invest in the generation of clean energy.

The President said this during his speech at the switch-on ceremony of the San Buenaventura Power Ltd. Co. at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City.

“To our friends in the private sector, I ask you to follow the lead of San Buenaventura Power by investing in the generation of clean energy,” he said.

“With substantial reforms that this administration has instituted in the past three years, I can assure you that you’ll be able to pursue more effective and efficient business strategies as long as you give utmost importance for the protection of our environment and the welfare of your host communities,” he added.

Last Tuesday, SBPL switched on its 500-megawatt (MW) supercritical coal-fired power plant in Mauban, Quezon, which will inject additional capacity in the Luzon grid.

It uses a high-efficiency, low-emission (HELE) coal technology that allows the power plant to operate at higher temperatures and pressures to reach higher efficiencies while reducing emissions.

The President also assured private sectors of government’s commitment to utilizing renewable energy for the economy’s growth.

“As we look forward to the future of power generation in the Philippines with much optimism, let me assure our partners in the private sector that this administration remains committed to harnessing the potential of sustainable [and] renewable energy in driving the growth of our economy,” he said.

“Let me, therefore, take this opportunity to encourage everyone, especially the people behind San Buenaventura Power, to look especially behind the aspect of power generation. And always keep in mind that beyond profits, your primary objective is to provide reliable and affordable electricity to our people,” he added.

In light of this, the President told the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to continue monitoring compliance of companies with the law.

/atm