ACR lines up 3 power projects in ’16

Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. of the Alcantara Group is set to start three major power projects in Mindanao, with total capacity of 225 megawatts, before the end of this year.

This was announced by the company during its annual stockholders meeting Friday.

The three projects are: The second 105-MW generating unit of the 210-MW baseload coal-fired power plant of Sarangani Energy Corp. (SEC) in Maasim, Sarangani; the 15-MW Siguil River run-of-river hydroelectric plant also in Maasim, Sarangani, and the 105-MW baseload coal-fired power plant of San Ramon Power Inc. in Talisayan, Zamboanga City.

SEC’s generating unit is expected to begin operating in 2018. The first unit began operating in April 2016, providing 105 MW of much-needed additional baseload power to more than three million residents of Sarangani province, General Santos City, and other key areas in Mindanao.

When it reaches its full 210-MW capacity in 2018, SEC will be serving over six million people in key areas in Mindanao. The $570-million SEC power plant is the single largest investment in Sarangani province and the entire Region 12.

The 15-MW Siguil run-of-river power plant will be ACR’s first renewable energy venture. The hydropower project is expected to be up and running in 2018. The company also plans to develop other run-of-river hydropower projects with total potential capacity of 185 MW in different places in Mindanao and Negros Occidental.

The 105-MW SRPI plant is scheduled to begin operating in 2019 to serve Zamboanga City and other key areas in Mindanao.

ACR currently operates three diesel power facilities: The 103-MW Mapalad Power Corp. diesel plant in Iligan City, the 55-MW Southern Philippines Power Corp. facility in Alabel, Sarangani, and the 100-MW power plant of Western Mindanao Power Corp. in Zamboanga City.

By 2019, ACR-affiliated power facilities will have about 588 MW  in generating capacity, 25 percent of Mindanao’s projected peak power demand for that year.