By Juzel L. Danganan
LAOAG, Ilocos Norte, Feb 12 (PNA) — Energy Development Corporation (EDC) may likely supply 154 Megawatts (MW) of capacity for the summer months, with its two Burgos Power Projects in Ilocos Norte.
”Yes, the two plants can run both the same time,” First Gen Corporation Vice-President Al Santos said during the Burgos Wind Farm Media Tour Thursday in Burgos, Ilocos Norte.
The two power plants are the 150 MW Burgos Wind Farm and the 4 MW EDC Solar Farm within the current Burgos Wind Farm lot that is projected to be operational next month.
On the other hand, Santos assured the 150 MW Wind Farm can still supply power to the grid, despite the lower rate during the forecast reserve deficit on the summer months.
”Whatever wind it can pick up, it can go to the grid. It will add and augment to the capacity that’s needed,” he said.
Santos further said reaching the 150 MW rated capacity will mainly depend on the wind.
The Wind Farm’s full capacity can supply electricity to 200,000-300,000 households with 150 kilowatts per hour (kWh) monthly consumption, while it can power up to 150,000 homes with 200 kWh consumption.
Earlier, the Department of Energy (DOE) has warned of a possible reserve deficit from March to July due to maintenance shutdown of the natural gas supplier Malampaya and the scheduled outage of some power plants.
The Burgos Wind Farm started commercial operations in November, successfully passing off power to the Luzon grid.
On the other hand, EDC’s application to avail of the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) for the wind farm is still under process, but noted it has obtained eligibility certificate from the DOE. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) targets to release all the certificate of commerciality (COC) for the FIT by March.
It was initially constructed into two phases, phase 1 at 87 MW and phase 2 at 63 MW, costing USD 291 million and USD 167.58 million respectively.
EDC funded USD 135 million of the project, while the remaining USD 315 million has been funded by foreign and local banks through creditors.
It comprises of 50 units of 3 MW Vestas wind turbines, considered as the world’s number one wind turbine manufacturer.
However, Santos stressed clients still have to go through the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) to source capacity from their wind farm.
He added EDC is still eyeing other sites for more wind projects. (PNA)