Philippines remains coal dependent

Produces 38.8% of the country’s electricity.

The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) said natural gas is the Philippines’ second biggest source of energy at 26.9% percent while geothermal and hydro each account for 14.1%.

NCSB noted coal, gas and diesel are more reliable in terms of delivery but they are dependent on supply availability and are vulnerable to shocks in world market prices. That is why it is imperative for power distributors to maintain a diverse portfolio of power supply contract with different sources.

Data showed that residential electricity rates in the country are the third highest in Southeast Asia and fourth and fifth highest in industrial and commercial power rates in the region, respectively.

Cambodia has the highet power rates in all of Southeast Asia. Brunei is second in residential electricity prices while Vietnam is second in commercial and industrial power rates.

Generation charges remain the biggest reason for high electricity prices in the Philippines.

For Manila Electric Co., which supplies power to 75% of the power in Luzon and 55% of the whole country, most of the electricity it delivers is generated by state-owned National Power Corporation.