SMC Global Power Holdings Corporation, an affiliate of the Philippines conglomerate San Miguel Corporation, has cancelled 4 coal-fired projects in the country totalling 1.8 GW, including Pagbilao (600 MW, Quezon), Sariaya (600 MW, Quezon), Malabuyoc (300 MW, Cebu) and Malita (300 MW, Davao Oriental). Instead, the company plans to build 31 battery energy storage system (BESS) plants with a total capacity of 1 GW all over the country, allowing for the integration of 3 GW of renewables to the grid, and 1.3 GW LNG-to-power plant in Batangas City.
In October 2020, the Philippines implemented a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants, although it does not concern projects that are already approved or that have secured permits. In addition, the government can still authorise coal-fired power projects if the country needs additional base load capacity.