Ludo power station
{{#badges:CoalSwarm|Navbar-Philippinescoal}}Ludo power station is a proposed 300-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Cebu Province, Philippines.
Contents
Location
The map below shows the location of Ludo Corporation's facility in Barangay Sawang Calero, the approximate location where the plant would be built, in Cebu City, Cebu Province.
Background on plant
Ludo Power Corp. proposed a 300 MW coal plant in the barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City, at the company's 12-hectare Ludo property. In April 2016, the Cebu City Council decided not to endorse Ludo’s proposal for the plant within the densely populated barangay, citing a lack of social acceptability. A shelter for mentally and physically disabled kids, manned by the Missionaries of the Poor, as well as the Sawang Calero Elementary School, are located immediately adjacent to the Ludo property. Ludo Power has two options: address the lack of social acceptability and environmental impact assessment study, or look for another project site.[1]
However, in February 2017 the Cebu city council voted 10-4 to endorse Ludo’s project to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned government agencies. The city council also adopted a Cebu City Zoning Board resolution which said it is “not adverse” to granting a variance to the project from Industrial 1 to Industrial 2. The variance is needed because coal plants are only allowed in Industrial 2 districts, but the proposed site is considered an Industrial 1 district, as it is a densely populated area. The council said the DENR will still hold a public hearing when Ludo applies for an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for the project and another hearing with the city government when Ludo applies for the variance.[2] Ludo Power also attempted to sweeten their deal for the local community, stating that if they built the project they would also "repair and beautify the boardwalk, construct a 10-bed mini-hospital, establish a fire substation and provide street lighting in four barangays."[3] In October 2017, Teody Navea of the Phillipine Movement for Climate Justice claimed that the Cebu City Zoning board has now granted a variance making the site Industrial 2.[4]
In May 2017, internal disagreements over the project became apparent: Kelly Luym, a former VP of Ludo and Luym Foundation Incorporated — the apparent parent company of Ludo Power — called on the Environmental Management Bureau to reject the project's application, stating that the company's management hadn't consulted with other members of the company's board of directors and with stockholders.[5] Local officials stated that this disagreement was internal to the company, and that they would assess the project strictly on environmental grounds.[6]
As of May 2019 there has no further progress toward building the project and it appears to be shelved.
Public opposition
The plant is opposed by Cebuanos Against Coal, comprising mainly local residents concerned about the pollution, and by the Phillipine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ). [2][8] Local residents protested the project in February 2017,[9] and again in March 2017.[10] Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña stated his opposition to the plant in February 2017.[11] Led by PMCJ, 50 protesters marched in opposition to the plant in Cebu City in October 2017.[4]
Project details
- Sponsor: Ludo Power
- Parent company:
- Location: Sawang Calero, Cebu City, Cebu Province, Central Visayas region, Philippines
- Coordinates: 10.29003, 123.88897 (approximate)
- Status: Shelved
- Gross Capacity: 300 MW
- Type:
- Projected in service:
- Coal Type:
- Coal Source:
- Source of financing:
Articles and resources
References
- ↑ "Councilor has no plans yet to push for coal plant approval," Cebu Daily, Apr 28, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jose Santino S. Bunachita, "LUDO COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT Protesters to Council: Explain endorsement," Cebu Daily News, Feb 17, 2017
- ↑ Ludo lays down plans, if power plant project gets City Hall nod, Cebu SunStar, 27 Feb. 2017.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Protests staged in Visayas vs. coal-fired plant, destructive mining, Inquirer Visayas 25 Oct 2017.
- ↑ Luym scion opposes coal power plant, The Freeman, 2 May 2017.
- ↑ Council keeping hands off Ludo controversy, The Freeman, 3 May 2017.
- ↑ 100 villagers protest vs. coal plant project, SunStar 18 Feb 2017
- ↑ Proposed coal-fired power plant in Cebu threatens residents' health and livelihood, GMA News, 10 Mar. 2017.
- ↑ Ludo Coal-Fired Power Plant: Protesters to Council: Explain endorsement, Cebu Daily News, 17 Feb. 2017.
- ↑ Cebuanos unfurl floating banner at Ludo coal plant site, join national wave of actions against dirty energy, Greenpeace press release, 18 Mar. 2017.
- ↑ Cebu City mayor against Sawang Calero coal plant, Cebu SunStar, 21 Feb. 2017.
