GNPOWER ASSURES 668MW SUPPLY
We thank the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for permitting the conduct of these necessary steps, which we originally estimated to be completed within the third quarter of 2021
MARIVELES, Bataan — The GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD) is buckling down to work to restore its power supply and provide 668MW (megawatts) to the grid once its commissioning and testing are completed.
GNPower vice president Roberto B. Racelis Jr., assured the company is doing its best to address challenges in the power sector brought up during the Committee on Energy of the House of Representatives hearing on 4 June. One particular issue is Unit 1 of the 2x668MW (net) supercritical power plant project (Dinginin Plant) of GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. in Alasasin Mariveles, Bataan.
“We confirm that Unit 1 of the Dinginin Plant is undergoing testing and commissioning. We thank the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for permitting the conduct of these necessary steps, which we originally estimated to be completed within the third quarter of 2021,” Racelis said.
The GNPower stated after the Department of Energy (DoE) threatened to file charges of economic sabotage against power plants that violated a policy that bans preventive maintenance from April to June when electricity demand is high.
“If you don’t follow the policy of the Department of Energy, we are studying if this is a crime tantamount to economic sabotage,” Energy Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella said in a televised briefing about power outages that hit Luzon recently.
For the temporary testing and commissioning, the ERC allowed the Dinginin Plant to dispatch Unit 1 at its maximum net capacity of 668MW, subject to conditions set by the Regulator.
According to Racelis, they temporarily suspended the testing and commissioning activities on the Dinginin Plant on 31 May.
“Suspensions are expected to occur during these testing activities for various reasons. In this case, a boiler tube leak was beyond the control of GNPD. This technical issue was communicated to the ERC on 3 June. We are earnestly working at remedial measures to resolve the issue and enable Unit 1 of the Dinginin Plant to resume testing and commissioning and augment supply to the grid with its ability to make available 668MW,” Racelis pointed out.
“Rest assured that we are working closely with our government and industry stakeholders in making sure this capacity is provided to the Grid without delay,” he added.
Despite the unprecedented challenges during this pandemic, the GNPower executive said the “GNPD had continued construction activities throughout while maintaining strict protocols to ensure the health and safety of the thousands of workers employed to achieve this. With compliance to EVOSS Law and mindful of pandemic conditions, we are confident that the regulatory processes are in place to enable GNPD to secure all necessary approvals and permits to dispatch for commercial operations of its Unit 1 at its full net capacity of 668MW, as noted by DoE during the hearing.”
However, he lamented the current travel restriction is delaying the delivery of urgently required specialists from various equipment suppliers, which hampers the necessary construction and commissioning works.