DMCI Power Corporation (DPC) is proposing to build a 15-megawatt (MW) circulating fluidized bed (CFB) coal-biomass fired power plant as part of its Phase 2 expansion, according to the project description document filed with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

The proposed facility aims to augment electricity supply in off-grid areas where DPC currently operates, particularly in regions not connected to the main transmission network.  

The proposed Phase 2 plant will use CFB technology designed to co-fire coal and biomass fuels, improving combustion efficiency and reducing emissions compared with traditional coal-fired systems. DPC said the configuration supports its strategy to diversify fuel sources for reliable and affordable generation in remote locations.

If approved, the facility will complement the company’s existing off-grid operations, which supply electricity to several island provinces under power supply agreements with local electric cooperatives. The additional capacity is expected to help stabilize supply amid growing demand in these areas.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has already granted two major endorsements for the project: a Certificate of Confirmation of Exemption from the national coal moratorium issued on May 31, 2024, and a Certificate of Energy Project of National Significance issued on August 19, 2024.  

DMCI Power has been operating in the province since 2013, running diesel plants in Puerto Princesa, Brooke’s Point, and Quezon; bunker-fired plants in Aborlan; and a coal-biomass facility in Narra. The additional 15 MW is expected to reinforce supply for a growing customer base and support electric cooperatives in managing demand peaks across the island.

Under Philippine environmental law, the project must undergo full public consultation and EIA review before it can proceed to construction. The EMB will evaluate the proposal’s potential impacts on air quality, biomass sourcing, and waste management, among other environmental considerations.

DMCI Power is a subsidiary of DMCI Holdings, Inc., and is one of the country’s major independent power producers serving missionary and off-grid markets.

How does DMCI Power’s plan for a coal-biomass hybrid plant align with the Philippines’ clean energy transition goals and off-grid electrification targets?

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