Business Mirror
Published on Tuesday, 16 October 2012 19:33 Written by Joey Pavia / Correspondent
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Electric power generator and distributor AboitizPower (AP), which earned a net income of P12.2 billion in the first six months of 2012, has applied for permits to explore geothermal power source in some 20,000 hectares of land in Pampanga and nearby Zambales.
Bill Ruccius, AP vice president for business development, on Monday presented to Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and the provincial board led by Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao the company’s planned exploration in Porac and Floridablanca in Pampanga; and San Marcelino and Botolan in Zambales. At least 40 percent of the area is in Pampanga, he said.
Ruccius said heir first venture on geothermal-power search is with the Makati City-based FEDS Energy Resources and Development Services Inc.
He said the company is willing to invest as much as $300 million for the planned 100-MW plant in the area largely owned by indigenous tribes based in the two provinces. FEDS was represented by its President and EO, Bernardo Tolentino and Ricardo Poblete Jr., managing director.
Danel Aboitiz, Assistant Vice President of AP Renewables Inc. (APRI), said they had applied “the first of many permits” before the Department of Energy (DoE) for their planned project. APRI is a subsidiary of the AP.
Aboitiz said the same area was explored by the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) and their local partners for energy source shortly before Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991.
Aboitiz assured Pineda the project will mainly benefit the communities in the area and “is environment-friendly.”
Pineda said “all investors are welcome in Pampanga as long they follow local and national laws.”
“More importantly, investments should primarily benefit the people,” said the governor in the dialect.
Porac Vice Mayor Dexter David and his sister, Second District Board Member Olga Frances David-Dizon, joined Pineda in the short meeting at the Capitol’s executive house.
David said they welcomed the AP and their project but said the welfare of the Aetas “should be assured.” There are at least 1,800 Aeta families in Porac.
The AP officials said the revenues derived from the project will benefit the local and national governments based on existing laws.
AP, the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments, is into power generation, distribution, retail and power services.
It has several hydroelectric and geothermal assets in its generation portfolio and also has non-renewable power plants located across the country, said the firm in its website.
The company also owns distribution utilities that operate in high-growth areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, it added. source
In Photo: Aboitizpoiwer Renewables Inc. anel Aboitiz (right) explains to Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda their planned geothermal-power exploration in Pampanga. Joining them are (from left): Board Member Fritzie David-Dizon, the governor’s consultant-adviser Roy Imperial, Vice Mayor Dexter David, FEDS’ Bernardo Tolentino and Ricardo Poblete and AboitizPower ’s Bill Ruccius. (Ric Gonzales)
No comments:
Post a Comment