Integrated energy firm Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) is strengthening its customer network and operations to support energy security and meet growing demand from industrial and cement sectors, as it anticipates coal prices to stabilize in 2025.

In a stock report on Tuesday, SMPC announced a record-breaking 16.5 million metric tons (MT) in coal shipments in 2024, driven by stronger demand from China and domestic markets. This surpasses the previous high of 15.8 million MT set in 2023.

“For the third consecutive year, we have hit our maximum coal production of 16 million metric tons under our existing Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC),” said SMPC p resident, chief operating officer and chief sustainability officer Maria Cristina C. Gotianun.

National energy security support

“While we anticipate market prices to further normalize in 2025, we remain focused on strengthening our customer network and enhancing operational efficiencies to effectively support national energy security and meet the growing demand from the industrial and cement sectors,” Gotianun added.

Foreign shipments climbed four percent to 8.4 million MT, with exports to China surging by 46 percent to 7.6 million MT.

Domestically, shipments also grew by 4 percent to 8.0 million MT, boosted by increased sales to local cement producers and Calaca power plants.

Of the 1.3 million MT sold to cement plants, 20 percent was supplied to SMPC’s associate company, Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc.