SMC Global Power Holdings, Inc., the power generation arm of San Miguel Corporation, is expanding its Masinloc coal-fired power plant in Zambales by 630 megawatts (MW) worth around Php73 billion.
Based on documents submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd (MPPCL), a unit of SMC Global, plans to increase the power plant’s capacity by constructing two new generating units — Units 4 and 5. Each unit would be capable of producing 315MW of electricity. Units 4 and 5 cost around Php30 billion and Php43 billion, respectively.
MPPCL currently operates Units 1, 2, and 3 of the Masinloc power plant; and is developing Unit 4. The company also said that the plant has enough space to accommodate the operation of an additional unit. Unit 5, which will be installed between the ash storage facility and Unit 4, would be utilizing supercritical technology with higher steam and pressure to improve power generation, while reducing CO2 emissions.
The company added that smaller units were more popular and that 315-MW size boilers and turbines had recently become more available, making it feasible to build such units at efficient cost.
With capacity currently at 600MW, the power generated by the Masinloc plant is delivered to the Luzon Grid via two transmission lines to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ Kadampat substation in Bugallon, Pangasinan.