The Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) will hold a public hearing later this month on the proposed expansion of a Zamboanga City gas turbine power plant owned by San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp.

Scheduled for August 28, the hearing will review the Environmental Performance Report and Management Plan (EPRMP) of Malita Power Inc., a San Miguel subsidiary, as it seeks to double the plant’s capacity to 56 megawatts (MW).

“The main problem in the Zamboanga Peninsula is the deficiency of local generators, which triggers voltage difficulties in northwestern Mindanao… the Zamboanga Peninsula is prone to operational stability issues due to a long and radial transmission line,” Malita Power said in its filing.

The PHP 3.2-billion expansion will add another 28-MW diesel-fired modular turbine, along with additional fuel storage tanks, filtration equipment, and interconnection facilities. The 14,212-square-meter site is located in Sitio Malasugat, Barangay Sangali, about 200 meters from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ switching station.

The company said that modular, fast-start, high-speed, quick-response generating units are expected to “alleviate the power supply delivery and voltage stability issues and help augment the demand for reliable and affordable power supply of Zamboanga Peninsula.”

Malita Power also noted that the project will generate tax revenue for local and national governments, as well as improve social services through development programs in the host community.

Testing and commissioning of the facility are targeted within this quarter.

What are your thoughts on San Miguel’s move to expand local generation capacity in Zamboanga to address grid stability issues?

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Photo credit: SMC Global Power