DENR to hear Filinvest unit’s pitch to expand coal-fired plant next month

THE POWER generation unit of a Filinvest Development Corp. subsidiary is applying to double the capacity of a 405-megawatt coal-fired plant in Misamis Oriental, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said as it announced hearings on the matter on July 16.

The hearing will examine the proposal of FDC Misamis Power Corp., which operates the plant in Northern Mindanao’s PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate.

According to the FDC Misamis proposal posted on the Environment Management Bureau’s website, the expansion involves the construction of three circulating fluidized bed boilers and the addition of three steam turbines at a cost of between P20 billion and P30 billion.

It will take about three years to complete upon the acceptance of the engineering, procurement, and construction deal, FDC Misamis said.

“The basic rationale for the expansion project is to contribute to the sustained and robust development of Mindanao which requires electricity as a major infrastructure support,” the company said.

The hearing will take place via videoconference, part of a process that will allow the DENR to evaluate the project’s environment performance report and management plan.

Last year, Filinvest Development Corp.’s power arm FDC Utilities, Inc. said FDC Misamis has released funds as required by Energy Regulation 1-94 to provide financial assistance to its host communities.

The funds consist of cash tied to the volume of power generated on the site and are intended to aid communities where power companies operate. — Angelica Y. Yang