Foreign-funded LNG project in Quezon up for NEDA, DOE review

The operation of a 300-megawatt (MW) power plant fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Quezon province may finally get underway as the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has placed the project under evaluation.

The power project, to be funded by a Hong Kong-based energy firm, will pass through the initial scrutiny of the Department of Energy (DOE) as proponent agency, then to the NEDA Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC) for approval.

NEDA Region IV-A officer-in-charge Severino C. Santos said the Regional Development Council resolved to adopt a proposal of Energy World International Ltd. (EWI) to construct the 300-MW LNG-fired power plant in Quezon.

"The region supports EWI’s intent to explore the possibility of investing in power generation using LNG in the region," Santos said.

NEDA and the local government would also assist the power firm as it prepares the feasibility study, secure local development council endorsements, environment compliance certificate and other requirements.

The LNG project is consistent with the country’s program of developing the natural gas industry and other alternative fuel sources. It also advocates private sector investment in the energy sector.

Local government officials also said that the project converged with the long-term Regional Energy Plan and Regional Development Plan for the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal Quezon) region.

The project will involve the construction of a new 300-MW combined cycle gas turbine power plant in two phases of 150 MW each, construction of a mother LNG terminal, and development of a network of storage and distribution facilities throughout the country, among others.

Late last year, Synergy International Resources Group Co. Ltd. came into the Philippine market for the development of compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure in the country.

Synergy will invest $200 million for the establishment of CNG refueling system for the whole Metro Manila area for CNG utilization in transport. The refueling system includes mother-daughter refilling stations, mobile refueling facility and other facilities deemed necessary.

It would also provide technical and operational expertise to the DOE and other concerned agencies to support the transition of the transport sector to a CNG fuel base. This includes refueling facilities and other related facilities and equipment to convert land and marine transportation from gasoline or diesel to CNG.

Synergy has over 25 years experience in the design, building, deployment and operation of CNG and LNG equipment technology and methodologies in China.