Meralco likely to build liquefied natural gas facilities

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will likely add liquefied natural gas power plants into its power generation portfolio, a company official said over the weekend. Meralco chief operating officer Oscar Reyes said the firm has started talking with potential partners in the pursuit of the new venture. Reyes pointed out that the new venture will allow Meralco — the country's largest power distributor — to further diversify its portfolio. “I think the country has to diversify its generation plants so that we are not heavily reliant on a single type," he said. Meralco will also study carefully on how to engage in liquefied natural gas projects, Reyes said. “I think… we have to look at whether it’s more cost effective to re-power rather than to build new plants." Meralco will be coordinating closely with the Department of Energy (DOE) to complement with the government’s plan of action on liquefied-natural-gas development. The DOE sees liquefied natural gas as one of the solutions to minimize the country’s dependence on imported oil. The department said putting up vital energy infrastructure will expand the use of natural gas beyond the power sector, making it available to the industrial, commercial, transport sectors, and households. — JE, GMA News