RP Energy gets ECC for Subic project

Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. has obtained an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for the second 300-megawatt unit of its $1.28-billion coal-fired power plant in Subic Bay Freeport.

This enable RP Energy—a consortium composed of power distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), Aboitiz Power Corp. and Taiwan Cogeneration—to meet its target of starting the commercial operations of the Subic power facility by 2016.

In a statement, RP Energy said it was issued an “amended” ECC, which it considered a “major milestone toward the completion of the project that we hope will ease the burden of Filipino consumers who need stable, reliable, environmentally responsible and cost-efficient power in their homes and businesses.”

The ECC amendment, the company added, recognized its strict adherence to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau’s guidelines and its commitment to complying with the law.

“More importantly, getting the ECC amendment further strengthens our commitment to strictly adhere to the permitting process and to ensuring that the project’s construction and eventual operation is environmentally compliant and state-of-the-art,” RP Energy said.

RP Energy president Aaron Domingo said the company was now finalizing negotiations with the selected engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors.

“We are also completing discussions with the banks. RP Energy is finalizing the amended and restated Lease and Development Agreement with the SBMA. We are hopeful to get conclusion by the middle of the month,” Domingo added.

RP Energy stressed the necessity of the planned 600-MW coal plant in ensuring the availability, reliability, affordability and security of power supply for the Luzon Grid.

Although RP Energy has already secured an ECC for the whole 600-MW facility, it has yet to overcome another hurdle as the Supreme Court issued in July this year a Writ of Kalikasan to the power project.

“RP Energy is addressing the Writ of Kalikasan case and we are committed to completing the process toward a final and speedy resolution in order for the project to be online and meet the much-needed capacity by 2016,” he added.