Vivant taps Finnish firm for Bantayan plant

VIVANT energy Corp. is tapping the expertise of Finnish smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions provider Wärtsilä for a power plant that would provide reliable and stable power supply in Bantayan island in Cebu.

Vivant energy’s subsidiary isla Norte energy Corp. will hire Wärtsilä to deliver engineering and equipment (eeq) for the former’s planned 23-megawatt (MW) power plant.

isla Norte is a joint venture of Vivant energy Corporation and

Gigawatt Power Corp.

The power plant would be completed next year. Once it has been put up, the power facility is expected to power up the entire island, which currently experiences frequent blackouts because of the lack of a reliable power supply.

Bantayan, which has a population of about 80,000, is a major tourist destination with a growing trade and commerce.

“The new power plant is an essential element for a secure economic future for Bantayan island. We are, at the same time, actively seeking to deliver electricity to small islands throughout the region, and a capable, reliable partner, such as

Wärtsilä, is needed for this,” said emil Andre Garcia, chief operating officer of Vivant energy.

isla Norte, meanwhile, was awarded a 15-year power supply agreement by the Bantayan electric Cooperative. Wartsila provided the engineering and equipment for Delta P, which runs a 47-MW diesel-fired power plant in Puerto Princesa, and the Calamian islands Power Corp., which supplies power to the off-grid areas of Coron and Busuanga through the Busuanga island electric Cooperative.

“We have enjoyed a long-term relationship with Gigawatt and Vivant,

and are pleased to be again providing a power plant solution tailored to the specific requirements of the project.

The Wärtsilä solution features the latest technology with high efficiency engines, and it will certainly add reliability to the local supply system and another addition to the growing installed base in the off-grid areas in the Philippines,” said Frederic Carron, vice president, Middle east and Asia, Wärtsilä energy Business.

Vivant Corp. has earmarked around P1 billion this year to expand its power business.