EDC opens 49.4-MW geothermal power facility in Negros Oriental

A geothermal power plant in Valencia, Negros Oriental that will help address the supply and demand situation in the Visayas was inaugurated over the weekend by the Lopez-owned Energy Development Corporation (EDC).

 

"The Nasulo geothermal plant will help address the tightening power supply-demand situation in the Visayas," EDC chairman and CEO Federico Lopez said in a statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday.

 

The company said the Department of Energy has included the 49.4-megawatt (MW) facility in its lineup of projects to address the power deficit in the Visayas.

 

Energy Department estimates showed that starting next year the demand in the Visayas will surpass the current capacity of 2,037 MW.

 

EDC president and COO Richard Tantoco noted the Nasulo geothermal will help the company fulfill the needs of consumers in Central Philippines.

 

"They have asked EDC for competitively priced power that minimizes foreign exchange fluctuations and volatile fuel price movements – so that is exactly the solution we provided," Tantoco said.

 

EDC subsidiary Green Core Geothermal Inc. has two other plants in Southern Negros, the 112.5 MW Palinpinon I and the 80 MW Palinpinon II.

 

The geothermal power producer also owns an integrated steam and electricity projects in Leyte, Bicol and North Cotabato, with a combined installed capacity of 1,130 MW.

 

EDC is also a part-owner and operator of the 123 MW Pantabangan-Masiway hydroelectric plants in Nueva Ecija. – Kathryn Mae P. Tubadeza/VS, GMA News