Mirant completes P1-B rural power project

Mirant Philippines Corp., a subsidiary of US-based Mirant Corp., announced yesterday the completion of a P1-billion electrification program under its Project Beacon or barangay electrification assistance to the countryside program.

At the same time, Mirant has committed P500 million for the electrification of another 500 barangays in the next two years.

"We have completed the lighting up of 1,000 barangays," Mirant Philippines Foundation executive director Roberto Calingo said. Project Beacon aimed to energize 1,000 barangays.

Thus far, Mirant has energized 1,074 barangays all over the country under its flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.

President Arroyo gave a token of recognition to Mirant International chief executive officer Marce Fuller for the completion of the P1-billion project.

Fuller said the new electrification program of Mirant will be done in two tranches, with 300 villages to be lighted up in 2004, and 200 more in 2003.

Mirant vice president for external affairs Paul Flake, said the electrification of the additional barangays is part of Mirant’s continuing commitment to government to put in place the necessary infrastructure for national development

Project Beacon, which was launched early last year, was undertaken in cooperation with the Department of Energy, National Electrification Administration, various local government units and cooperatives. It is considered as the largest ever CSR program undertaken by the private sector.

According to Calingo, an estimated 1.5 million individuals in 33 provinces all over the country have benefited from the electrification program.

A total of 11,963 kilometers of transmission lines (more than enough for a one way trip from Manila to Los Angeles) were installed by Mirant, with 2,325 workers hired to complete the project.

"We are hoping that the completion of this program will complement government’s efforts to improve the quality of life of Filipinos," said Calingo.

Mirant Philippines is the largest private producer of electricity in the country, owning more than 2,000 MW of installed generating capacity nationwide. Mirant also owns a stake in the natural gas-fired 1,200 MW Ilijan Power Plant.