ERC OKs 5 power projects

Five power projects with a total combined capacity of 1,363 megawatts were cleared by the Department of Energy to conduct grid impact studies (GIS).

The GIS is necessary in determining if the electricity to be generated by the power project can be absorbed by the grid.

Based on the DOE data, the largest project of the lot is the 2x500 MW coal-fired power plant of Kepco Philippines in Sual, Pangasinan.

Kepco Philippines owns the 1,200-MW Ilijan natural gas power plant, which is under a buildoperate-transfer contract.

Two projects are diesel-based. AC Energy DevCo Inc. was cleared to conduct GIS on a 300-MW diesel modular genarator set power plant in Pililia, Rizal.

AC Energy DevCo is affiliated with Ayala Energy Holdings Inc. which took over Bronzeoak Philippines Inc. It owns solar projects in Negros — San Carlos Solar Energy, Negros Island Solar Energy, and Monte Solar Energy.

Meanwhile, SPC Power Corp. received the goahead to do studies on a 32-MW diesel power barge in Cortes, Bohol.

SPC Power earlier said it was entering the renewable energy business to sustain its profitability after it recorded an alltime high performance in 2016. However, it will not abandon plans to pursue coal-fired power projects and power barges.

The remaining two projects are renewable energy developments. VS Gripal Power Corp. is eyeing to develop a six-MW biomass power plant in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija while Electra Ecoenergy Corp. is pursuing a 25-MW solar power project in Brgy. Patag, Opol, Misamis Oriental.

So far, the DOE has allowed firms to conduct GIS on 51 projects this year. Of the total, 37 are renewable energy projects: 17 solar farms, 11 hydropower plants, five wind projects and four biomass plants.

The agency also cleared studies for seven dieselfired power projects, three coal-fired power plants, three gas-fired power facilities and only one battery storage project.