Semirara, Meralco Powergen to build 750-MW coal facility in Batangas

SEMIRARA Mining and Power Corp., the coal-mining arm of Consunji-led DMCI, and Meralco Powergen Corp., the power-generation arm of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), will likely start construction of a 750-megawatt (MW) coal-power project in Batangas next year.

“Target notice to proceed is during the first half of 2018. Target financial close will be during the first half of 2018,” data from the Department of Energy (DOE) stated.

They expect to sign the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract in the second half of next year.  Construction will immediately commence once an EPC is signed.

The companies earlier signed a joint-venture agreement (JVA) for the purpose of owning, constructing and operating a 2x350MW coal-fired power plant to be located in Calaca, Batangas.

The project proponent will be called Saint Raphael Power Generation Corp.

The coal-power project is listed under the DOE’s indicative power projects. However, in order for the project to proceed, grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) must complete its Calaca-Dasmariñas transmission-line expansion project so that power from the planned coal plant can be distributed to end-users.

An environmental compliance certificate ECC-CO-1530-0012 dated September 17, 2015, was issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the project.

Meralco is already sourcing part of its power requirements with Semirara’s wholly owned subsidiary, Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp. (SLPGC).

They also signed a power-supply agreement (PSA) in which Meralco will source a total of 120 MW of power from SLPGC. The PSA took effect on March 26, 2016, and will end on December 25, 2018.

Source: Business Mirror