First Gen Corp.’s wholly-owned unit Prime Meridian Powergen Corp. (PMPC) yesterday received its certificate of compliance (COC) and will start operations of its 97-megawatt (MW) power plant.

First Gen said its 97-MW Avion natural gas-fired power plant in Batangas will soon begin commercial operations after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved its COC.

First Gen president and COO Francis Giles Puno said the COC grant will now enable the company to provide supply to the WESM.

“The certificate on the change of status of the Avion Plant to commercial operations is under process with the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation, operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM),” the company said in its disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

“The flexibility of Avion plant will be able to supply immediate power needs to the market especially during the peak hours and when other plants go on unscheduled outages,” Puno said.