SMC Global Power Holdings’ (SMCGP) coal-dropping moves continue, as it plans to transform its 300-megawatt (MW) coal plant in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental to a gas-fired facility. 

San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) power generating arm said it has notified the Department of Energy (DOE) about the plan to convert the plant into a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility. 

The firm likewise said that it will no longer pursue the development of its earlier proposed 328MW coal plant in Davao Del Sur. 

The diversified conglomerate recently said that it dropped three of its coal projects in Quezon and Cebu as part of its pivot towards renewable energy and LNG investments. It also is looking to build a 300MW hydroelectric plant in Aklan. Back in October 2020, SMC let go of its plans to expand its Malita coal plant in Davao Occidental by 300MW.

The DOE imposed a moratorium in the construction of new coal plants also in October, to which SMC President and CEO Ramon Ang said the company would follow government regulations.

SMCGP is also constructing 31 battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities with a total capacity of 1,000MW in 10 locations nationwide.

San Miguel is also planning to build a 1,300MW LNG combined-cycle plant in Batangas City, which will provide clean and stable power to customers of the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) over the next 20 years beginning 2024. Two SMCGP subsidiaries won contracts in MERALCO’s power auction last February.