Coal Power Plants and Coral Reefs: An Uneasy Coexistence along Philippine Shores

The Philippines boasts some of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world. With coral reefs sprawling with fish, crustaceans, and marine mammals – our marine ecosystems such as coral reefs are called rainforests of the sea for a reason. Yet, this natural heritage faces mounting threats from industrial development and the construction of fossil energy sources such as coal-fired power plants that disrupt the natural ecosystem. This intersection of energy infrastructure and marine ecology presents a complex narrative of an uneasy coexistence between energy and the marine environment, a relationship that determines the state of our Philippine seas through the lens of energy sustainability and conservation. 

Within the Philippines, our energy matrix has long been dominated by coal and oil, accounting for a significant portion of our electricity generation. This has been due to its affordability, accessibility, and role in meeting the energy demand of a rapidly urbanizing population. 

According to a study by Fernandez (2021), the Philippines’ energy development strategy has historically emphasized coal-fired power as a “reliable base load,” despite its environmental trade-offs. The country’s reliance on imported coal, mostly from Indonesia, reflects a policy environment that has long favored cost-efficiency over ecological impact. Baquiano et al. (2017) argues that while coal may appear economically viable in the short term, its long-term impacts such as pollution, ecosystem degradation, and health costs are vastly underestimated and often unaccounted for in energy planning.

This heavy dependence on coal has shaped the country’s energy landscape to meet the growing demand for energy. However, this concentration also means that environmental risks, such as air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste disposal, are disproportionately concentrated in certain regions, often affecting vulnerable communities. Furthermore, the environmental costs linked to coal consumption, such as acid rain, smog, and toxic runoff contribute to the degradation of critical ecosystems including forests and marine habitats. Despite increasing global momentum toward cleaner energy, the Philippines’ existing permittance processes, insufficient grid capacity and inadequate coordination between national agencies and government units have slowed the transition, making coal a persistent, if problematic, pillar of the national energy mix. As a result, finding the balance between the economic benefits of coal with the need for environmental stewardship remains a significant challenge for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and communities alike.

Within the Philippines, our coral reefs approximately take up 26,000 square kilometers which constitutes the 2nd largest in Southeast Asia. These reefs are not only rich in biodiversity but are also invaluable due to their ecosystem services. They sustain fisheries, protect coastlines from erosion and storm surges, and serve as a foundation for tourism and livelihoods in coastal communities. One such example is the Danajon double barrier reef found off the northern coast of Bohol Island. Within the study on the economic value of Danajon reef by Samonte et al. (2016), fisheries, gleaning, seaweed farming, and tourism were all ecosystem services provided by toward stakeholders such as local fishermen, seaweed farmers, and gleaners who were found in nearby coastal communities. It was found that the Danajon reefs are essential to the livelihoods of 771,150 people living within the coastal municipalities of the surrounding provinces (NSO, 2012), and the loss of coral reefs in Danajon reef has a notable impact on the livelihood of fisherfolk within the area. On an economical scale, the coral reef as a whole contributes to USD 3.46 million, which is more than half (56%) of economic revenues from fishing, seaweed farming, tourism, and shoreline protection in the Danajon area according to Samonte et al. (2016). 

This local study presents just a fraction of the valuable ecosystem services and economic factors that coral reefs provide to our local communities in the Philippines. Yet, it is important to note that corals are extremely sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, water quality, and the chemical composition of the ocean, which are conditions that are frequently altered by coal plant activities through thermal pollution, sedimentation, and effluent discharges. 

In foreign case studies, there has been evidence of coal-fired power plants impacting benthic community structures and coral reefs nearby its surrounding area. One such case is the study conducted near the Paiton Power Plant in East Java, Indonesia. The researchers found that coral reefs located closer to the plant’s warm water discharge area had noticeable differences in coral types and overall reef condition compared to those farther away. In particular, coral cover varied widely—ranging from about 48% to 75%—and certain types of corals like massive, encrusting, and branching Acropora were more dominant in specific zones. These shifts were linked to the warmer water released by the plant, suggesting that even subtle changes in temperature from power plant operations can alter the makeup of coral reef communities. 

Within the Philippines, formal studies on the impacts of coal-fired power plants on coral reefs are scarce, but several notable cases highlight concerns over their potential effects. The proposed coal plant by Global Luzon Energy Development Corporation (GLEDC) in La Union faced strong opposition due to its large-scale seawater use for cooling, which involved drawing and discharging over 100 million liters of water per hour, raising fears of thermal pollution that could increase sea temperatures and damage nearby coral ecosystems. Similarly, the proposed DMCI coal power plant in Narra, Palawan, which is close to the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and rich marine biodiversity areas, drew criticism from environmentalists, scientists, and UNESCO itself over the risk of thermal and chemical pollution harming coral reefs that support fisheries and coastal protection. These cases, both met with public backlash and advocacy that halted their development, highlight the growing recognition of the ecological risks coal-fired power plants pose to the Philippines’ sensitive marine environments.

The Philippines faces a critical challenge in balancing energy security – the capacity of a state to guarantee sufficient and uniteeruptted manner that is both sustainable and affordable to support economic processes – with energy sustainability, which finds the balance between a growing economy, environmental protection, and social responsibility that allows us to preserve resources for future generations. Coal-fired power plants have long been favored because they provide stable base-load power at relatively low cost. However, this reliance often comes at the expense of the environment, particularly marine ecosystems like coral reefs. Thermal pollution, chemical discharges, and habitat disruption from coal plants significantly stress coral reefs, which are vital not only for biodiversity but also for coastal protection, fisheries, and tourism that support local communities’ livelihoods.

To better align energy security with sustainability, the Philippines must shift toward more diversified energy portfolios that emphasize renewable sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal, which have lower environmental footprints. As of 2023, there has already been an increase in the energy transition with regard to renewable energy accounting for approximately 26,278 GWh of total gross generation in the country’s energy mix versus the 73,754 GWh from coal. Additionally, innovations in energy storage and grid management will help address intermittency issues of renewable energy, ensuring stable energy supply. Ultimately, energy security and sustainability should be pursued together, providing the country with a reliable energy future that also protects its priceless marine ecosystems and supports long-term economic and ecological resilience.