US–Israel war pushes Philippines towards temporary coal dependence

The Philippines is set to temporarily increase its reliance on coal-fired power plants as the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran disrupts gas supplies, the country’s Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has said.

Speaking to journalists in Manila, Garin explained that the sharp surge in liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices means the country will “temporarily” have to lean more heavily on the carbon-intensive fossil fuel, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Coal already accounts for around 60% of electricity generation in the archipelago of 116 million people, which faces some of the highest energy costs in the region.

Garin said the government has contacted coal-fired power producers to assess how much they can boost output, describing the move as a temporary measure that could come into effect as early as April 1.

By Aghakazim Guliyev