DMCI’s power plant in Palawan starts operations

DMCI Power Corp. of the Consunji group said it had started the commercial operations of its diesel-fired power plant in Palawan, initially generating 5 megawatts.

In a text message, DMCI Power president Nestor Dadivas said the company was able to complete the first phase of its 27-MW diesel facility, which was designed to help provide the much-needed additional capacity to the province.

Dadivas earlier expressed concern about not meeting their target as the company, as of last October, was still working on securing the various permits needed to start construction of the power unit that could generate the first 5 MW for Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco).

The 27-MW facility would be the first of three power-generation facilities that DMCI Power is targeting to put up in Palawan over the next few years. The three plants will have a combined capacity of 57 megawatts.

Dadivas earlier said the company was hoping to start commercial operations of a 27-MW diesel-fired power facility in Palawan by September 1, 2013; a 15-MW coal-fired power plant in October 2014; and another 15 MW coal facility by January 2017.

The entire output of these facilities will be purchased and used by Paleco.

Apart from Palawan, the company is also interested in putting up diesel-fired and small coal facilities in other areas, including Mindoro and Tablas Island in Romblon, DMCI Power chairman Isidro Consunji said earlier.