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Stable power supply requires mix of fossil fuels and renewables in Mindanao, Philippines

Stable power supply requires mix of fossil fuels and renewables in Mindanao, Philippines Steam pipes at Mount Apo, Mindanao Philippines (source: flickr/ penmanila)
Francisco Rojas 2 Mar 2015

For Mindanao to have a stable power supply and reasonable electricity rates, it needs to have combination of fossil fuels and renewable energy, more particularly geothermal.

Philippines is experiencing a big increase in the demand for power, driven by economic development and according to local news, for Mindanao to have a stable power supply and reasonable electricity rates, it needs to have combination of fossil fuels and renewable energy (RE), an official of the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (Amreco) said Sunday.

In a statement sent through email, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair Luwalhati Antonino underscored the necessity of having both nonrenewable and renewable sources of power in the island.

Due to an increase in demand, prices and electricity rates are on the rise and are hurting the local population and businesses. Having a variety of renewable energy solutions at its disposal, local politicians from Mindanao see that a balance between fossil fuels and renewable energy is the way forward and are pushing for the full enforcement and implementation of the new Renewable Energy law.

It should be noted that geothermal energy provides baseload capability and is abundant in this particular part of the Philippines.

Source: Sun Star