London-based consultancy Perret Associates predicted a two-million-ton addition in coal demand of the Philippines totaling to 26 million.
With global demand staying slightly above one billion tons this year, supply will barely meet demand according to the forecasts that showed an estimated spare of just six million tons.
This despite Chinese import demand, the largest amount in the world, possibly declining by 12 percent to 187 million tons.
Aside from the Philippines, Vietnam is also expected to require more than two million tons, having 25 million tons of coal demand for the country; meanwhile 10 percent upturn is predicted in India’s demand, winding-up with 176 million tons.
Meanwhile, Perret Association sees some increase in Russia and South Africa’s exports.
The Philippine government was urged to develop a plan to diminish air pollution in the country which is attributed to inefficient energy use in households, industries, the agriculture and transport sectors, as well as coal-fired power plants.
This is after the country was ranked third highest in a 2018 study by the World Health Organization (WHO) which identified 45.3 per 100,000 Filipinos dying due to air pollution, mostly through heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and pneumonia.
Experts suggest the government and the public to look for alternatives to coal and fossil fuel, and consider using renewable energy sources instead.
