LOPEZ-LED Energy Development Corp. (EDC) has expanded its Mt. Apo geothermal facility with the launch of its 3.6-megawatt (MW) binary geothermal power plant on Wednesday.
The power plant, also known as M3, was synchronized to the Mindanao electricity grid on March 12 and passed compliance testing by system operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines on March 25, the company said.
“Through our geothermal facilities here in Cotabato, which now includes M3, we are able to fulfill our revitalized mission to forge collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future in this part of our country,” said EDC Deputy Chief Operating Officer Jerome H. Cainglet in a media release.
EDC, a unit of listed First Gen Corp., held on Wednesday a launching ceremony at the power plant in Brgy. Ilomavis in Kidapawan City, Cotabato province.
Aside from providing clean and reliable power to the Mindanao grid, the project will also avoid around 25,000 tons of equivalent carbon dioxide yearly through the use of geothermal energy.
“The facility will make use of existing brine from EDC’s 103-MW Mindanao 1 & 2 geothermal power facilities to generate additional energy without the need for additional drilling. Heat from the brine will be used to generate electricity by the new power plant before it is re-injected back to the reservoir,” the company said.
The power plant started construction during the pandemic, with EDC ensuring the safety of workers through strict health and safety protocols.
Mr. Cainglet said the M3 plant is part of EDC’s commitment to continuously power Mindanao’s growing economy with 100% clean energy to lessen its dependence on fossil fuels such as coal.
EDC said the project also supported the local economy with up to 567 jobs, which were generated for nearby communities at the peak of construction.
It said the project is expected to provide additional benefits to the host local government units of Brgy. Ilomavis, Kidapawan City, Cotabato province and Region 12, or SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos).
It will also benefit indigenous peoples in barangays Ilomavis, Balabag and Kawayan in the form of the government-mandated Energy Regulations No. 1-94 funds, which give to host communities an equivalent one centavo per kilowatt-hour of total electricity sales.
EDC has more than 1,480 MW of installed energy capacity, which it said accounts for 20% of the country’s total installed renewable energy capacity. Its 1,181-MW geothermal portfolio is said to account for 62% of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity. The Philippines is the third largest geothermal producer in the world.
