SEOUL, Republic of Korea — Contrary to what some environmentalist is saying about the hazardous effects of the coal-fired power plant, the Korea Electric Company (Kepco) assured Cebuanos that a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology, which would be used in their Naga plant in Cebu, is proven and tested to be safe on the environment and people’s health.
Kim Min Joong, the deputy general manager for environment and chemistry team, made this assurance to Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and her party during a visit to Donghae Power Plant in Donghae City and Dangjin Power plant in Korea.
Garcia, along with Provincial Board Members Agnes Magpale and Wenceslao Gakit, officials of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry and some members of the local media were given a tour inside the power plant of Korea East West Power Co., Ltd (EDW), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kepco, which is Korea’s largest power monopoly that supplies 95 percent of the country’s power needs.
While the coal power plant of the Kepco in Cebu is still expected to operate in 2011, the plan has met strong opposition from some environmentalists who hit the plan of the Cebu Provincial Government to have the coal combustion waste, commonly known as “coal ash” dumped at the government-owned Balili Beach resort in Barangay Tina-an, Naga City.
Environmentalists claimed that the ash will bring harmful effects to the environment and the health of the people who are living near the area.
But Joong pointed out that EWP is an environment friendly company, which is even more concerned in greening the environment. “It has no effect and need not to worry. Its environmentally-friendly facilities,” he said.
He explained the 200-MW Cebu-Naga project will utilize clean coal technology that limits nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide emissions at environmentally-friendly levels.
Kepco insisted that their mission in building a power plant in Cebu is to fulfill their commitment to the country to bring essential power in Cebu, Panay and Negros that are now suffering intermittent blackouts. Kepco invested over US$1 billion in 2006, including the Philippines.
In dumping the coal ash in Naga, the Kepco will pay $1 million to the provincial government for the permit to dump, which the province has the exclusive right under the memorandum of agreement that they have entered into. — Garry B. Lao/WAB (THE FREEMAN)