Here are the big impact power projects for 2018

Previous reports said that the Philippines will need around 26,000 megawatts (MW) of power to support the numerous infrastructure projects under the Build Build Build program. The country also needs an additional 17, 000 MW of power to support its growing economy.

That means a heaping 43,000 MW is needed in the grid to meet all of these demands.

With that, it’s no brainer that the country needs to build up more power supply to support the growing demand in the next few years.

Many power plant projects are lined up based on the DOE website. Here are the following power projects that are either to undergo test and commissioning or launch commercial operations this 2018.

SAN BUENAVENTURA LTD. CO (SBL) PROJECT

Mauban, Quezon
500 MW
Target Test and Commissioning: December 18
Commercial Operations: December 2019

According to a report by BusinessWorld, the power plant’s generated power will be sold to Meralco under a 20 year power supply agreement (PSA). The company said that the SBPL will be the first plant in the country “to use state-of-the-art supercritical technology,” which operates on higher pressures that will result to higher efficiencies and significant reductions in its emissions.

RPEI COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT

Redondo Peninsula Energy
Sitio Naglatore, Cawag, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
600 MW
Target test and Commissioning: October to December 2018

According to Redondo Peninsula Energy (RPE) Vice President and Head of External Affairs Reynalita Santana, the power plant will help in the energy security of the country, and promote national and local economic development. Apart from this, the project will also provide jobs to its host communities.

PAGBILAO COMBINED CYCLE GAS FIRED POWER PLANT

Energy World Corporation
Pagbilao, Quezon
650 MW
Target test and Commissioning: March 2018, June 2018, September 2018

The Pagbilao gas plant will have its own point-to-point facility in order to connect it to the Luzon grid through the planned Pagbilao substation.

THERMA VISAYAS ENERGY PROJECT

Therma Visayas Inc.
Todelo City, Cebu
300 MW
Target Test and Commissioning: September 2017
Target Commercial Operations: (Unit 1) December 2017, (Unit 2) March 2018

Almost 90 percent complete, the Therma Visayas project is seen to provide more additional baseload power to support the growth of Cebu and Visayas.

PALM CONCEPCION COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT (UNIT 2)

Palm Concepcion Power Corp.
Concepcion, Iloilo
135 MW
Target test and Commissioning: March 2018
Target Commercial Operations: December 2018

With the first unit fired up in 2016, this power plant supplies power to the Visayas Grid. In a report by the Philippine Star, PCPC is a critical addition to power generation in Panay, and Cebu due to growing power requirements in Iloilo, Aklan, Negros, and Cebu.

BILIRAN GEOTHERMAL PLANT PROJECT

Biliran Geothermal Incorporated
Biliran, Biliran
50 MW
Target test and Commissioning: September 2018
Target Commercial Operations: September 2018 (Unit 1)

The geothermal field where the Biliran Geothermal project stands, is one of the largest greenfield geothermal projects in the country with a potential power of 350 MW. The project is seen to provide stable and reliable power supply in the island province of Biliran and the entire Eastern Visayas (Region 8).

GNPOWER KAUSWAGAN CLEAN COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT

Photo from Ayala Energy and Infrastructure Group

GN Power Kauswagan Ltd. Co.
Lanao del Norte
600 MW
Target test and Commissioning: December 2017
Target Commercial Operations: March 2018

Firing up the GN Power Kauswagan plant would mean Mindanao expanding its power capacity for baseload requirements, Romeo Montenegro, director for Investment Promotion, International Relations and Public Affairs of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said.

SOUTHERN MINDANAO COAL FIRED POWER STATION (PHASE 2)

Sarangani Energy Corporation
Brgy. Kamanga Maasim, Sarangani
100 MW
Target test and Commissioning: December 2018
Target Commercial Operations: January 2019

The power plant was seen to benefit its host community as around 1,500 workers for the construction phase. Phase 2 of this project is seen to serve an additional three million residents in Mindanao.