TSI builds dome for 300-MW coal-fired power plant in Davao

By Mindanews on April 11 2014 6:16 pm

KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/11 April) – The AboitizPower’s Therma South Inc. (TSI) has announced the erection of its coal dome that can store at least 200,000 cubic meters of fuel along the boundary of Toril district in Davao City and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

In a statement, TSI president and chief operations officer Benjamin A. Cariaso Jr. said they considered the dome the “first of its kind in the country.”

The dome, which stands nearly 80 meters with a diameter of over 120 meters, will store over 200,000 cubic meters of fuel for the 300-megawatt baseload power, Cariaso said.

The dome will be completed anytime next month as more equipment would be installed inside, he said.

He said the facility was built as part of AboitizPower’s commitment to the environment and the community.

“It will help ensure Mindanao has reliable power to help resolve the energy crisis,” he added.

“These facilities highlight TSI’s commitment to use the latest technology to ensure the power plant will meet the standards set by the government,” Cariaso said.

He said they remain true to their commitment to build a world-class power plant that will make the people of Davao and Mindanao proud.

The dome’s towering presence and its large aluminum roof, the president said, has been getting attention from surrounding communities.

It is visible from a distance around Davao Gulf, from the diversion road, and even from the air when planes approach the Davao International Airport.

Commercial operations of TSI’s coal-fired power plant will start in the first quarter of 2015, Cariaso said.

Among those that already signed contracts with the TSI are two electric cooperatives from North Cotabato – the Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) Main and Cotelco-PPALMA. The latter covers the towns of Pigcawayan, Pikit, Aleosan, Libungan, Midsayap, and Aleosan.

Last year, Bobby Orig, AboitizPower first vice president for Mindanao affairs said the plant, once fully commissioned, would become the largest baseload coal-fed power plant in Mindanao.

Currently, STEAG State Power, Inc. operates the 210-MW coal-fired plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, where AboitizPower is also one of the investors.

Some environment groups have opposed the construction of coal-fired power plants to solve Mindanao’s recurring power shortage especially during the dry months. They said generating power from coal would pollute the atmosphere and cause other harmful side effects. (MindaNews) source