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By Myrna M. Velasco
Manila Bulletin
While it was recently been afflicted by tropical storm “Urduja,” the construction of the initial 10-megawatt capacity of the Biliran geothermal power project will be set on fast-track mode, according to project developer Biliran Geothermal, Inc.
The proposed geothermal facility has potential yield of up to 240 megawatts, but development pace will be done gradually starting with the marginal 10MW installation.
Project sponsor BGI is a subsidiary of Emerging Power Inc. (EPI), the energy venture arm of the Zamora group, which is also largely into the mining industry via Nickel Asia Corporation.
As noted by EPI President and Chief Executive Officer Guido Alfredo A. Delgado, “this year’s events strengthened our resolve to see the completion of the Biliran geothermal power project.” The plant has initially been targeted for commercial operation around September 2018.
He added that the capacity addition from the geothermal facility could be a valuable addition to the “indigenous power source that will ensure power security for the host-province.”
On a contract awarded by the Department of Energy (DOE), BGI holds 25-year concession for the exploration, development and production of geothermal resource within a specified 260 square kilometers of contract area in Biliran province.
“The construction of the power plant will provide stability and reliability of electricity supply in Biliran, especially in the face of natural calamities,” the project developer firm said.
In 2015, EPI sealed an agreement with global private investment group Orka Energy on equity divestment of up to 40 percent of project corporate vehicle BGI.
That cemented partnership had been seen then as major step into concretizing the development of the Biliran geothermal project, the second one that will likely be set on stream following years of development gap in the sector.
Once pulled to completion, the Biliran geothermal project will add up to the growing renewable energy portfolio of the Zamora group, which has also been pursuing solar farm developments in other parts of the country.
