DOE endorses 4 power projects for switch-on
The Department of Energy (DOE) has endorsed four power projects to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in April to enable these to advance toward commercial operations.
According to a document posted on the DOE’s website, the facilities’ combined capacity is about 150 megawatts (MW).
The latest list includes three diesel-fired power plants and one solar project with certificates of endorsement (CoE).
Electricity producers need to obtain a CoE, a mandatory step for the issuance of a certificate of compliance, which green lights power generation facilities for the start of commercial operations.
One of the generating facilities that secured the CoE is that of Isabel Ancillary Services Co. Ltd. This is for the company’s 86.32-MW diesel power plant in the province of Leyte.
Another project is that of Amatera Renewable Energy Corp., which is a 65-MW solar facility in Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, two of National Power Corp.’s diesel power plants with a combined capacity of 0.49 MW also received endorsements from the DOE.
Since the start of this year, the DOE has endorsed 32 projects to the ERC. Of these, 18 were renewable energy projects.
Once they activate their operations, the facilities are expected to help support the growing electricity demand in the Philippines.
According to data from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, current nationwide peak demand was at about 18,100 MW.
The DOE earlier said that peak electricity demand in the country may rise by 5.3 percent yearly until 2028. By 2050, peak demand is seen to hit 68.5 gigawatts.
Coal continues to dominate the power generation mix with its contribution reaching 62 percent. However, as the country moves to cut dependence on coal, the DOE imposed a moratorium on new facilities.
The government is also boosting its efforts to attract more investments in the renewable energy space. Currently, its share in the electricity mix is at 22 percent. By 2030, the Philippines hopes to grow the number to 35 percent.
