Existing coal-fired power plants in the Philippines are excluded from the ban on coal power plants, according to the Department of Energy (DoE). In a Dec. 22, 2020 memorandum that was posted on the department’s website on Monday, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said existing and operational coal-fired power generation facilities would not be covered. Committed coal power projects and existing power plant complexes that already have firm expansion plans and existing land site provisions are also not covered. The memorandum also exempts projects with substantial accomplishments, particularly those that have signed lease agreement for the projects, and approved permits or resolutions from local government units and the Regional Development Council where the facilities would be located. The DoE, however, would no longer process applications for planned facilities.
