Aboitiz Power Corporation is set to award engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts for the forthcoming coal expansion project of its subsidiary, Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) in Toledo, Cebu next month.

In a report by Manila Standard, AboitizPower President and CEO Emmanuel Rubio said that the company is currently evaluating the EPC and is looking to obtain binding bids from two suppliers for TVI 3 in the next two weeks.

Rubio also disclosed that they are contemplating both 130-megawatt (MW) and 150-MW units, depending on availability, and cited the scarcity of entities venturing into coal plant development.

TVI 1 and 2 currently feature GE units, each with a 150-MW capacity. 

Rubio added that their goal is to complete TVI 3 by 2027. Additionally, he affirmed their compliance with regulations, holding certification from the Department of Energy (DOE) and an environmental compliance certificate endorsed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 

Rubio also asserted that necessary permits for TVI 3 were already obtained, as the project was part of the original TVI design, emphasizing the project’s adherence to initial design specifications and regulatory requirements.

In seeking financial backing, Rubio mentioned the positive reception from the provincial government and Governor Gwen Garcia and emphasized the need for enhanced power generation in Cebu. He highlighted the region’s rising power demand, reaching 180 MW to 210 MW, with expensive supply due to oil-fired power plants running amid tight supply conditions.