The Department of Energy (DOE) has again urged Thailand’s state-owned energy giant, PTT, to expand the operations of its local unit, PTT Philippines Corp., in the fuel retail and liquefied natural gas markets.
"We are trying to encourage competition. It would help if they (PTT) would decide to get bigger here," Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said. He explained that having more players in the local fuel sector will address price disparities in some areas where only one, two or a few oil firms operate.
The DOE chief also revealed that PTT still wants to be part of the DOE’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) program.
The Thai firm has said it is interested in building and operating a 1,200 megawatt LNG plant is Limay, Bataan. PTT also plans to add 10 to 15 more outlets to its current network of 45 service stations.
President Aquino met Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva during the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in Indonesia early this month. During the meeting Vejjajiva expressed interest in the Philippines’ public-private partnership (PPP) program.
Almendras said he also presented the DOE proposal to Thai trade officials during the May 6 to 9 summit. — ELR/VS
