Department of Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said he is inclined to weigh the balance between the country’s reliance on coal and oil-based power plants and emerging renewable energy sources to keep the cost of electricity in check for consumers, a government press release said.
Asked about the petition of some sectors to reverse the endorsement of his predecessor, former energy secretary Jose Rene Almendras, on coal-fired power plants, Petilla said he would do everything he could to look at the green side of renewable energy, run-of-river hydropower, solar, wind and biomass.
Petilla said he did not want to rush on his decisions, but would review existing contracts with power producers to make sure there’s a balance between RE and coal and oil-based power plants.
“If we go RE, it’s going to be more expensive source of energy, so we need to keep a balance of what we can afford…and what the environment can afford,” Petilla said.
He said he would meet with the bureau officials of RE to look at the technical side of pursuing green energy sources and find out what is the acceptable level or international standard to apply in the country.*PNA
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