First Gen Corporation’s geothermal arm, Energy Development Corporation (EDC), is moving forward with plans to expand its Bacon-Manito Geothermal Project (BMGP) in Bicol by integrating the proposed Botong-Rangas Geothermal Project (BRGP), which could add up to 30 megawatts (MW) of new geothermal generating capacity in Luzon.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau has initiated public scoping for EDC’s proposed amendment to the project’s existing Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). The public scoping is scheduled on July 29 in Manito, Albay and July 30 in Sorsogon City.

The combined footprint of the existing and proposed facilities will cover 602.45 hectares, remaining within EDC’s 25,000-hectare Geothermal Renewable Energy Service Contract.

The project forms part of EDC’s broader plan to expand the Bacon-Manito geothermal complex. In 2025, the company said resource assessments identified the potential to add up to 90 MW of new capacity within the geothermal reservation over the next several years.

The Bacon-Manito complex currently consists of two geothermal power plants with a combined installed capacity of 150 MW, alongside the 22-MW Tanawon Geothermal Power Plant, which was inaugurated in August 2025.  

According to the scoping document, the additional geothermal capacity would provide weather-independent baseload power for the Luzon grid, helping support system stability while reducing reliance on imported fuel-based generation as more variable renewable energy sources are added to the grid.

The project description indicates construction is targeted between 2028 and 2032, with commercial operations projected to begin in 2032 and continue through 2057.

What challenges do you think EDC will face in advancing the Botong-Rangas geothermal project?

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