The timeline for the opening of Unit 1 of the GNPower Dinginin coal-fired power plant has been pushed back once again.
Based on a BusinessWorld report, GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD) Vice President Roberto Racelis said that the 668-megawatt Unit 1, which is currently undergoing testing and commissioning, is set to go online by the fourth quarter.
Earlier and on separate occasions, Energy Regulatory Commission Chairperson Agnes Devanadera and Aboitiz Power Corporation President and CEO Emmanuel Rubio said that the plant may begin commercial operations in August following delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rubio specifically cited travel bans affecting the movement of personnel and materials as the cause of delay. AboitizPower controls GNPower Dinginin.
Unit 1 began operating last March, with its capacity peaking at 600MW a few days after.
A few months back, Senate energy committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian pointed out delays in the commercial launches of 27 power plant projects with capacity totalling 2,045MW since 2016. GNPower Dinginin Unit 1 was among those mentioned, particularly for being delayed five times.
Travel restrictions have likewise delayed the opening of the 668MW Unit 2, which is now slated for the third quarter of 2022. Racelis particularly said that the quarantines have affected the travel authorizations of foreign experts and personnel.
Once fully operational, GNPower Dinginin would be the country’s largest power plant.
