LNG a viable alternative to depleting Malampaya gas, senator says

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian is looking to the importation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to supplement the expected depletion of the Malampaya gas field, projected in 2024.
“Mauubos na ang Malapaya in 2024, so as early as now, pinag-uusapan natin na i-develop ang importation dahil malaking tipid ‘to sa ‘ting consumers,” Energy Committee Chair Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian told reporters on Monday.
The senator recently concluded an inquiry on the Philippine downstream natural gas industry policy, which determined that importing natural gas is cheaper than using coal.
“For now, based on the DOE (Department of Energy), lumalabas na mas mura ang mag-import ng natural gas kaysa sa coal,” Senator Gatchalian said, adding that this would benefit consumers environmentally.
“Ang natural gas kasi masmalinis ‘to, almost 80% cleaner than coal, so mura na malinis pa. there’s now an incentive na i-develop ang natural gas sa bansa,” he said.
According to the DOE, Malampaya gas costs about P4.67 per kilowatt hour (kWh) and coal costs P5.49 per kWh, while LNG will cost P4.53 per kWh. — Charmaine A. Tadalan