Operations of the 1,336-megawatt (MW) GNPower Dinginin coal-fired power plant have begun, according to Aboitiz Power Corporation.
AboitizPower President and CEO Emmanuel Rubio said in a Manila Bulletin report that the plant’s 668MW generating unit 1 has been running since March 22 and has reached 600MW of generation after four days.
While there are still many adjustments needed, the increased capacity will help keep prices at lower levels given the significant outage in the Luzon Grid. The facility is expected to operate the first generator at full capacity by June. Travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have delayed the plant’s operating timeline.
Meanwhile, generating unit 2 — also with a capacity of 668MW — targets to begin commercial operation by next year.
Diniginin’s capacity feed had been crucial with the concurrent outages in power facilities in the past few weeks since it was able to sustain supply and subsequently helped in easing prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market. The new plant’s role is crucial with many Filipinos working from home and attending online classes.
The plant, which uses “clean coal” technology, is currently a joint venture of AboitizPower and Ayala-led AC Energy, in which the former controls 60%. AC Energy will be divesting from the project after vowing to drop coal from its power generating portfolio.
Photo from Aboitiz website.
