By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

Palau Public Utilities Corporation representatives recently traveled to China to look into the technology of coal-fired power plant.
PPUC Chairman of the Board Kione Isechal told reporters that PPUC is looking for an alternative power source.
Isechal said that diesel run power plant have been expensive due to the spiraling fuel prices.
Isechal , with other officials visited power plants in several locations in the Mainland China
He said the visit was to see the technology and extent of operation of the coal-fired power plant.However coal, Isechal said, will be costlier that the diesel run power plant. He said that although the coal is cheaper, the technology and system are costlier.
Isechal said that highly-trained personnel and extensive facilities are needed to operate the power plant.
He said a special facility is necessary to store the coal and an unloading wharf should also be maintained to operate a coal-fired power plant.
There are also environmental concerns in this kind of technology.
The visit was made from Oct.8 to 22 by the invitation of a private company in China working closely with the Chinese government.
Isechal said PPUC is looking also into the technology of solar, hydro and wind as sources of power.
Earlier PPUC said that it is looking into building a new power plant to upgrade the old plant.