Immigration and Business in the Philippines: Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, a Philippine coal mining giant, plans to build 1.1 gigawatts of new coal-fired power capacity over the next three to four years.
According to a Reuters report, the company's CEO, Isidro Consunji, stated that the company plans to first build a 700-megawatt power plant and begin trial operations for a 300-megawatt power plant in Luzon by the end of this year.
Consunji noted that the company also hopes to expand its power generation scale and take charge of the coal supply for these power plants.
To meet the surging demand for electricity, the Philippines is considering accelerating the construction progress of several coal-fired power plants currently in the development stage.
Semirara Mining and Power Corporation has an annual coal production of approximately 8 million tons, which is exported to China. However, to support local power generation, the company has suspended exports to China.
Following an earthquake in the central region of the Philippines, Semirara shut down its coal mines in that area and is currently considering the development of new coal mines there.
The new coal mines are expected to reach full operational capacity by 2016. The company is also striving to develop a third coal mine.