DMCI-led Semirara Mining and Power Corporation (SMPC) is forecasting nearly P7 billion in capital expenditures (capex) for 2025, with the majority allocated for coal development.

In a briefing, SMPC announced an anticipated P6.9 billion group capex. Approximately 84 percent of this amount (P5.8 billion) will be used for coal refleeting and the acquisition of additional mining and support equipment.

This amount is 23 percent higher than the company's 2024 funding forecast, which was projected at P4.7 billion.

Conversely, SMPC's power units may see a drop in capex for this year.

SEM Calaca Power Corporation (SCPC), which manages the 600-megawatt (MW) Calaca-based Batangas coal thermal plant, is projected to have around P700 million in CAPEX in 2025. This is 50 percent lower than the P1.4 billion expected for 2024.

Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corporation (SLPGC), which operates a 300 MW coal-fired plant in Calaca, Batangas, anticipates a potential P400 million in spending for this year. This is a 20 percent decline from the forecasted amount of P500 million.

Overall, SMPC expects a 5 percent increase in its capex this year, compared to the projected P6.6 billion for 2024. This includes investments in coal and its Batangas-based companies, SCPC and SLPGC.

Last year, the group increased its coal shipments by 4.4 percent to 16.5 million metric tons (MT) due to high domestic demand and demand from China.

SMPC described this achievement as historic, surpassing its previous record of 15.8 million MT.

Foreign shipments grew by 8.4 million MT last year. China received 7.6 million MT, 46 percent higher than in 2023.