Energy Columns in PhilStar

Hydrocarbons, pumped storage hydro and economic growth   ENERGY, INFRA AND ECONOMICS - Bienvenido Oplas Jr. - The Philippine Star  June 26, 2025 | 12:00am https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/06/26/2453279/hydrocarbons-pumped-storage-hydro-and-economic-growth   There are a number of good developments in the Philippine energy sector recently. Consider these reports in The Philippine STAR written by Brix Lelis:  “DOE: Drilling operations begin at Malampaya field” (June 21); “Meralco, Gokongweis expand power supply deal” (June 24); “MGen inks supply deals with D&L unit” (June 25); “DOE seeking Chinese expertise on battery storage facilities” (June 25); “‘Philippines, Tiger Cub economies to ignite global oil demand’” (June 25).   We need more hydrocarbons, oil and gas energy to power the Philippines’ high growth trajectory. The number of vehicles especially large trucks and buses that transport heavy loads and millions of passengers will need more oil. Th...

Energy security during rainy, stormy months   ENERGY, INFRA AND ECONOMICS - Bienvenido Oplas Jr. - The Philippine Star  June 19, 2025 | 12:00am https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/06/19/2451539/energy-security-during-rainy-stormy-months   Two weeks ago the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared the official rainy season for the country, normally June to November.   Rainy season means higher output for hydroelectric plants but lower output for solar plants as solar hates shade from clouds, rains and trees. Like last year, the share of hydro in total power generation rose from 3.3 percent in May to 5.4 percent in June 2024, while solar share declined from 3.5 percent in May to 3.2 percent in June. The share of wind also declined from 0.6 percent in May to 0.3 percent in June. For a combined share of 3.5 percent of total generation from wind-solar, they are dangerously unreliable to power the Philippines’ fast e...

Nuclear energy and DOE navigator   ENERGY, INFRA AND ECONOMICS - Bienvenido Oplas Jr. - The Philippine Star  June 5, 2025 | 12:00am https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/06/05/2448216/nuclear-energy-and-doe-navigator   Energy is development. All countries and economies that have developed fast have abundant energy supply to power and sustain their household and industrial needs. Nuclear energy has been used by many industrialized countries since the 60s or earlier as part of their energy mix. In 1966 or six decades ago, these countries already have at least 200 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of power generation from nuclear alone: France, Germany, Russia, Canada, Japan. With huge nuclear generation already that year were Italy with 3,900, US with 5,800 and UK with 20,800 GWh.   In Asia in 1977, these countries have at least 100 GWh power generation from nuclear alone: Taiwan, South Korea, Pakistan, India; Japan has 31,700 GWh from nuclear that year.   In 1985 when the Ba...