EDC eyes additional geothermal power in Mindanao
Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is looking at expanding its geothermal power operations in Mindanao with an additional capacity of up to 120 megawatts (MW), a top official said.
Jerome Cainglet, EDC president and chief operating officer, said the company has an ongoing exploration program in Amacan in the Davao Region.
Cainglet said they were also expecting to get an initial 70 MW from the site. If the exploration proves the area has a “good resource,” the capacity can go up to 120 MW, Cainglet noted.
“Hopefully, by next year, we will be able to say we can develop a facility in Amacan,” Cainglet told reporters.
“If we are able to confirm by next year that it’s commercially feasible, then [it will take] another two to three years to construct,” he added.
While no official investment plan has been disclosed yet, Cainglet earlier said that establishing the facility would require about $6 million per megawatt, excluding costs of drilling activities. That means a total of up to $720 million.
Aside from the Amacan site, he said EDC has also similar sites in Rizal and Negros.
Earlier this month, the firm officially activated the P7-billion Tanawon Geothermal Power Plant in Sorsogon City. This added another 22 MW of generating capacity to the Tanawon complex.
Cainglet said EDC may pursue adding capacities at the Bacon-Manito geothermal field in the Bicol region. The firm sees a possibility of tapping another 90 MW.
EDC is a subsidiary of First Gen focused on renewable energy projects.
The company’s geothermal capacity is at 1,189.34 MW. Including wind, solar and hydro power, the company has a total of 1,484.13 MW of renewable energy capacity.
Its portfolio now accounts for about 56 percent of the country’s total installed geothermal power capacity.
The Philippines is the third-largest geothermal producer in the global market, but Energy Chief Sharon Garin said the government would lay out the necessary foundation to level up the country’s game.
