Leyte town welcomes geothermal exploration

CARIGARA, Leyte – The local government here is open to geothermal exploration in its mountain areas.

The exploration area lies next to the mountains of Kananga town and Ormoc City, which are the prime sources of geothermal energy for the Energy Development Corporation (EDC).

Carigara Mayor Eduardo Ong said on Thursday they expect economic benefits for the town if a geothermal source is discovered.

That’s because Carigara will be entitled to a 40-percent share of the gross collection derived by the national government once geothermal reserves are tapped.

Ong said he learned that the EDC is interested in expanding its operations to Carigara town.

He cited how the neighboring town of Kananga has grown economically with the existence of the EDC Leyte Geothermal Production Field in the area.

“Not only will the local government benefit from such a company, but also the host village itself,” Ong said.

He said he is willing to support geothermal exploration because geothermal energy is clean, renewable, and can provide stable power 24 hours a day.

It also relies heavily on healthy forests to recharge the geothermal reservoir, thus forests can at the same time be preserved.

At 107,625 hectares the EDC Leyte Geothermal Production Field is the country’s biggest geothermal project and the world’s biggest wet steam field.

It produces over 700 megawatts of steam power.

The 30-year-old renewable energy project has been providing electricity not only to the residents of Leyte but the entire country through the national power grid. (PNA)