1. What is the Cost of Coal per kWh?

The cost of coal per kWh represents the total expense to generate one kilowatt-hour of electricity from coal in the Philippines, including both fuel and operational costs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following equation:

Where:

• \( Coal\ Price \) — Price of coal in Philippine Pesos per ton (PHP/ton)
• \( Efficiency \) — Energy conversion efficiency in kilowatt-hours per ton (kWh/ton)
• \( Operations \) — Operational and maintenance costs in PHP per kWh (PHP/kWh)

Explanation: The equation calculates the fuel cost component by dividing coal price by efficiency, then adds the operational costs to get the total generation cost.

3. Importance of Cost Calculation

Details: Accurate cost calculation is crucial for energy planning, tariff setting, and comparing different power generation options in the Philippine energy market.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter coal price in PHP/ton, plant efficiency in kWh/ton, and operational costs in PHP/kWh. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is typical coal price in the Philippines?
A: As of 2023, coal prices in the Philippines typically range from 2,500 to 4,500 PHP per ton depending on quality and source.

Q2: What is average efficiency of coal plants?
A: Modern coal plants achieve about 2,500-3,500 kWh per ton of coal, while older plants may be less efficient.

Q3: What operational costs should be included?
A: Include maintenance, labor, ash disposal, and other variable costs directly related to power generation.

Q4: How does this compare to other energy sources?
A: Coal is generally cheaper than diesel but more expensive than renewables like solar and wind in the long term.

Q5: Why is this important for the Philippines?
A: With coal accounting for about 50% of Philippines' power generation, understanding its cost is crucial for energy policy and pricing.