Alson’s 105-MW coal-fired plant at Sarangani power complex now online

Alsons Power Group on Friday formally launched the second 105-megawatt coal-fired power generator of its unit, Sarangani Energy Corp. (SEC), and announced the start of construction of its P4.5-billion, 14.5-MW Siguil River hydroelectric power plant, both located in Maasim, Sarangani.

SEC’s baseload plant— which runs round the clock to provide electricity to the grid— began operating in 2016 with the first 105-MW unit. The second unit started commercial operations last October.

The power plant complex now delivers power to over six million people in 10 provinces and 12 key cities in Mindanao, including Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Iligan, Butuan, Digos, Dipolog and Pagadian.

“The milestones we celebrate … are in line with our President’s vision of a Mindanao that enjoys the benefits of power security and the preservation of the environment by employing both traditional thermal baseload power and renewable energy,” said Tomas I. Alcantara, chair and president of Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. (ACR)

“The two power projects [coal and hydro] represent our own modest contribution in support of the President’s commitment to provide the needed infrastructure for the economic growth and sustainable development of Mindanao and the rest the country,” Alcantara said.

Tagged at $570-million or about P29 billion, the SEC plant is the single largest power investment in the Soccsksargen. It is a joint venture between Alsons Thermal Energy Corp.— itself a partnership between ACR and Global Business Power Corp.—and Japan-based Toyota Tsusho Corp..

The P4.5 billion Siguil hydro plant is Alsons Power’s initial entry into renewable energy and is expected to begin commercial operations in 2022.

Siguil hydro is expected to provide electricity to Sarangani province, General Santos City and key towns of South Cotabato. It will be the first of eight run-of-river hydro power facilities that the group plans to develop in different parts of Mindanao and Visayas.

Alsons Power, through San Ramon Power Inc., is also working on a 105-MW coal-fired plant in Zamboanga City that is expected to begin operations in 2023.