Alsons taking in Toyota Tsusho as Zamboanga project equity partner

Manila Bulletin
By Myrna M. Velasco
Published: May 15, 2013

The power unit of Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc. (ACR) is now certain about taking in Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) as equity partner on its planned 105-megawatt Zamboanga coal-fired power project.
In a chance interview, Alsons director Nicasio I. Alcantara indicated that the deal has already been firmed up for Toyota Tsusho to also corner 25-percent equity in the Zamboanga power facility which is targeted on stream around 2016.
“Toyota Tsusho will also be joining us in the Zamboanga project. They will have 25-percent share, the same as in the Sarangani project,” he said.
The trading arm of the Toyota group first sealed a joint venture with the Alcantara group in the 105-MW Sarangani coal power project. The facility is targeted for expansion of another 105MW.
The Zamboanga facility, costing more than $300 million, is the second power project of the Alcantara group which will help solve the lingering supply crisis in Mindanao.
If lumped with the projects of the Aboitiz group, the power supply-deficient grid will gain capacity additions of more than 500MW by 2015.
However, given the gravity of supply shortage in the grid, it is seen that the forthcoming greenfield capacities will just place Mindanao on the safe zone until 2015 to 2016.
As early as 2017, it is seen that the grid may be experiencing new round of supply shortfalls, hence, calls for additional investments are persistently sounded off by the Department of Energy.
Beyond the ventures of the Aboitiz and Alcantara groups, other project developers are now pushing for implementation their proposed power facilities.

Among them is FDC Utilities, Inc. of the Filinvest group which already laid down plans for a three-phased 405-MW coal-fired facility. It will be done at increments of 135-MW each. source