$272-M, 100-megawatt coal-fired power project launched today in Cebu town
Friday, December 16, 2005
By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.
NAGA, Cebu - A project for two $272-million, 100-megawatt coal-fired power plants will be launched here today.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) had earlier approved the environmental compliance certificates (ECC) for the establishment of the two plants.
Despite strong opposition by provincial legislators and environmentalists, the groundbreaking for the project of Salcon Power Corp. and its partner, the Korean Electric Power Corp., will be held today even without President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her counterpart from South Korea, as earlier announced.
In issuing the ECC for the project, Environment Secretary Michael Defensor reminded Salcon that "you are expected to implement measures that would project or enhance the environment, and mitigate the projects’ adverse impacts, including those on the health and welfare of the community".
Salcon Administration Manager Raul Estrillioso said the project will start early next year.
The Cebu provincial board has also announced plans to snub the groundbreaking rites because the proponents of the project did not secure its blessings.
"We do not want to comment on the planned boycott by the members of the Cebu provincial board of our groundbreaking ceremony," said Guillermo Dabay, Kepco general manager for legal and external affairs.
Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong, head of the board’s committee on environment, said the matter was rendered moot and academic because his committee had yet to finish public hearings on the power project.
At the last public hearing held early this month, environmental activists told the board members that Kepco was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. To date, there is no confirmation from Kepco.
President Arroyo had earlier hailed the $270-million coal-fired power plant, saying the joint venture is part of her 10point agenda, which includes supply of electricity to every barangay.
The two 100-megawatt power plants will be constructed in a 10-hectare reclaimed lot in the Naga power plant complex. The project is expected to generate at least 10,000 jobs, including those in the coal mining industry.
The power plant design, which uses "circulating fluidized-bed combustion technology, is expected to consume 3,000 metric tons of coal a day
posted by philpower @ 12:37 PM,
