EDC replaces Negros plant with smaller unit

BACOLOD City, Philippines—Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is replacing the 40-megawatt Northern Negros Geothermal Power Plant (NNGP) in Bago City with a smaller unit.

EDC plans to transfer its original equipment to its Nasulo geothermal project in Valencia town, Negros Oriental, NNGP vice president Dwight Maxino said.

“The resized NNGP will match the field and power plant capacities, and allow the facility to run more efficiently,” Maxino said in his letter to Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr.

The resource assessment revealed that the NNGP could produce 5 megawatts to 10 megawatts with support from the geothermal buffer zone in Mt. Kanlaon, he said.

Maxino added that the estimated capacity of the NNGP was arrived at after the analysis of the data collected from the two extended well discharge tests.

By transferring NNGP’s original equipment, the EDC could have better use of the 40-MW facility, which would produce more power at the Nasulo steamfield, he explained.

The generated power would be offered to customers, including the electric cooperatives in Negros Occidental, Maxino said.

Victorias-Manapla-Cadiz Rural Electrification Service Cooperative (Vresco) and Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco), meanwhile, also have power supply contracts with Green Core Geothermal Inc. in Palimpinon town in Negros Oriental and Tongonan town in Leyte.

Maxino also reiterated NNGP’s commitment to fulfill all the environmental conditions set by the Provincial Board, in relation to its operations in the buffer zone.

He said that EDC also remains committed to support host communities, through its corporate social responsibility program.