16 power firms win approval to conduct grid impact studies

Business World Online
Posted on September 28, 2015 07:54:00 PM

SIXTEEN power companies were given clearance to conduct grid impact studies (GIS) in the third quarter, allowing them to proceed with one of the preparatory stages prior to building their proposed generation facilities.

Linemen installing new transmission lines. -- AFP

Data from the Energy department showed that these companies were allowed to conduct their studies for projects that can potentially generate over 4,800 megawatts (MW).

Megawatt Clean Energy, Inc. received the go signal for its 50-MW solar plant in Silay City, Negros Occidental last July.

Strategic Power Development Corp. got the same for San Roque pumped storage hydropower facilities with capacities of 600 MW and 400 MW last July. The projects are located in Itogon, Benguet.

The same company secured a similar approval for the 400-MW hydropower optimization project in San Manuel, Pangasinan that same month.

Eight more companies were allowed to conduct GIS in July.

These are: PhilNew River Power Corp. for its solar 3.7-MW Silo-O and 3.7-MW Malitbog hydropower projects in Bukidnon; YH Green Energy, Inc. for a 14.5-MW solar plant in Hermosa, Bataan; Bronzeoak Philippines, Inc. for its 18-MW solar plant in Bais City, Negros Occidental.

NV Vogt Philippines Solar Energy, Inc., meanwhile, obtained grid approval for a 55-MW plant in Lourdes, Tarlac City and another 55-MW plant in Lucanin, Mariveles.

The go signal for Hedcor, Inc. and San Carlos Sun Power, Inc. covers a 6.15-MW hydro project in La Trinidad, Benguet and a 61.33-MW solar farm in Negros Occidental, respectively.

Also on the list is Solar Philippines, which will build five solar projects with a combined capacity of 315 MW.

These projects will be located in Tarlac City; Talisay City, Negros Occidental; Hermosa, Bataan; Laoag; and Angeles City.

Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp. will also conduct a GIS for the 32-MW power barge 103 in Zambales that it acquired from the government.

The same company in August secured approvals for six more power projects.

The projects are: a new 600-MW coal-fired plant in Calaca, Batangas; a 220-MW pet coke power plant in Dinalungan, Aurora; a 332-MW hydropower plant in Diduyon, Quirino; a 40-MW hydro plant in Ilagan, Isabela; a 64-MW diesel project in Zambales; and a 1,200-MW natural gas plant in Bauan, Batangas.

Other projects approved in August were El Elyon Power Plant Phils, Inc.’s 40-MW solar plant in Alabel, Sarangani; and Cleantech Global Renewables, Inc.’s 25-MW solar plant in San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

Four companies won approval earlier this month: San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders & Development Group, Inc. for 45-MW hydro project in Tabuk, Kalinga; and Vires Energy Corp.’s 200-MW natural gas-fired power barge in Batangas City.

Completing the list are Peakpower Soccsargen, Inc. and Peakpower San Francisco, Inc.’s 13.94-MW and 5.2-MW bunker-fired plants in Agusan del Sur. -- Claire-Ann Marie C. Feliciano source