By Alena Mae S. Flores Posted on Jul. 13, 2013 at 12:01am
Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. may build hydroelectric and solar power plants in Luzon and Mindanao on top of coal projects, a source said Thursday.
“Renewable energy projects are still on the research and development stage,” the source said.
San Miguel has focused on coal-fired plants, with the construction of the 300-megawatt Davao and the 600-MW Bataan power stations set to start.
The source said San Miguel is scheduled to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the 300-MW coal-fired power plant in Davao next week.
“The construction of the Davao plant will follow [after groundbreaking] to meet the expected completion by December 2015 and commercial operation by 2016,” the source said.
San Miguel, through unit San Miguel Consolidated Power Corp., is building the coal facility, estimated to cost $630 million, in Barangay Culaman, Malita, Davao del Sur.
San Miguel earlier disclosed plans to expand the capacity of the Davao plant by 900 MW to bring the total output to 1,200 MW by 2020.
Energy Department records showed San Miguel was looking at a three-phase expansion for the Davao coal project.
San Miguel president Ramon Ang earlier confirmed the company’s plan to build the 300-MW coal plant, which will be fueled by the company’s coal mines in Mindanao.
A source earlier said the Mindanao coal project would utilize “clean coal technology” and tap company-owned and operated coal mines to provide an affordable and reliable supply in Mindanao.
The source added San Miguel would offer competitive rates to electric cooperatives because of the cheaper fuel coming from the Daguma mines owned by San Miguel.
San Miguel acquired ownership of Daguma Agro Minerals Inc. and Bonanza Energy Resources Inc. for $25 million in 2010. Both mines are located in South Cotabato, Mindanao.
San Miguel’s third mining acquisition is Sultan Energy Philippines Inc., which it purchased for $14.5 million. Sultan Energy’s mine is found in Sultan Kudarat, close to the company’s other two mines.
The three mines cover a combined area of 17,000 hectares and are expected to provide guaranteed and a cheaper raw material source for San Miguel’s coal power plants.
San Miguel is currently the biggest trader of electricity, having won the contract to administer the capacities of the Sual coal, San Roque hydropower and the Ilijan natural gas power plants. source
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