Lopez-led Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has formally launched the operations of its 3.6-megawatt (MW) Mindanao 3 (M3) binary geothermal power plant in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.
The new plant, an extension of EDC’s Mount Apo geothermal facility, aims to provide an additional supply of clean, reliable, and stable power in the country’s second largest island.
“Through our geothermal facilities here in Cotabato which now includes M3, we are able to fulfill our revitalized mission to forge collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future in this part of our country,” EDC Deputy COO Jerome Cainglet said.
The M3 Binary plant will be using the brine from the Mindanao 1 & 2 geothermal power facilities to generate power without additional drilling. The plant was connected to the Mindanao Grid on March 12.
“The entry of this geothermal capacity in the form of Mt. Apo geothermal project’s M3 binary power plant will serve as a milestone for EDC’s growing portfolio of generating clean energy and milestone as well as for the DOE’s commitment to ensuring effective implementation not only of the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) but the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 as well,” said Dir. Mario Marasigan of the Department of Energy’s Electric Power Industry Management Bureau.
Under the NREP, the government aims for renewable energy to have a 35% share of the country’s energy mix by 2030, and 50%by 2040.
“This expansion project will boost the geothermal sector’s contribution to the country’s power mix,” Marasigan added.
EDC had allotted Php17.38 billion in capital expenditure for 2022.