By Juzel L. Danganan
MANILA, Dec 15 (PNA) — Sto. Tomas, Batangas based Maibarara Geothermal Project plans to increase its capacity to 30 Megawatts (MWs), from its initial service contract application of 20 MW, according to Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) Director Mario Marasigan.
“They are looking at initially expanding 10 MWs, but everything is being set in place,” Marasigan told reporters.
He said Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI) has already started their assessment and are in the confirmatory drilling phase. Marasigan added the consortium is in the process of deciding whether it will use their existing holes or will drill new ones.
However, Marasigan said Maibarara may start its operations in 2016, but pointed out the company still has to submit firm work plans, before the Energy Department can assess the commencement of commercial operations.
The expansion will cost USD 25 million, while the initial 20 MW project was estimated at USD 2.4 billion, consisting the steamfield, power station and transmission line. It was built by EEI Corp., with Fuji Electric of Japan supplying the plant’s main equipment.
The 20-MW plant started commercial operations on Feb. 8, 2014, but was synchronized to the grid on Nov. 4, 2013.
The power generated from the geothermal plant is supplied to Manila Electric Company (Meralco) consumers.
It was awarded to MGI by the Department of Energy (DOE) through the Open and Competitive Selection Process (OCSP), a bidding for potential Renewable Energy production sites.
MGI is comprised of PetroGreen Energy Corp. at 65 percent stake, Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation (TAODEC) at 25 percent and Philippine National Oil Company – Renewables Corp. (PNOC-RC) at 10 percent. (PNA)