2030 target for Atimonan coal

Manila Electric Co.’s generation arm, Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), is targeting to commence electricity supply from its 1,200-megawatt Atimonan coal plant by 2029 or 2030, subject to government approval.

- By GABRIELL CHRISTEL GALANG.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Meralco Giga Summit 2025, MGen President and CEO Emmanuel Rubio stated that they are seeking the Department of Energy’s (DOE) reapproval for the coal plant’s exemption from the 2020 coal moratorium.

“Tt was recalled for review. I spoke with the DOE Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan, and I’m trying to clarify what aspect of the project will be reviewed and what they [will communicate] in due time,” Rubio said

Earlier in the week, MGen announced that the DOE’s “Acknowledgement of Non-Coverage” for Atimonan One Energy Inc.’s 1,200 MW coal plant had been recalled for review.

Reinstatement of the approval would allow the company to proceed with the project despite the government’s efforts to reduce coal’s share in the country’s power mix.