Trans-Asia to bid for power supply contracts of 3 hydropower plants

MANILA, Philippines - Trans-Asia Oil and Power Development Corp., the power generation unit of the Phinma Group of Companies, will bid for the independent power producer administrator (IPPA) contracts of three National Power Corp. (Napocor) hydropower plants.

Trans-Asia president Francisco Viray said the company is eyeing to participate in the bidding for IPPA contracts of the 345-megawatt San Roque, 70-megawatt Bakun and 30-megawatt Benguet hydroelectric power plants.

“We are looking at all opportunities. We will participate in the San Roque, Bakun and Benguet IPPA contracts,” he said.

At the same time, he said Trans-Asia will also consider bidding for the Bacon-Manito geothermal power facilities.

The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM), the agency tasked to oversee the privatization of Napocor assets including its supply contracts, will put the hydropower plants’ contracts on the auction block in early November this year.

Trans-Asia’s power portfolio is composed mostly of diesel-fired power facilities. It has plans of putting up an aggregate 400 megawatt (MW) in wind power projects.

The company’s bid for the IPPA contracts on hydro and geothermal will enhance its diversification efforts. Trans-Asia is now the only Filipino-owned oil exploration firm in the country. It is also the first company licensed by the Energy Regulatory Commission as a wholesale aggregator in preparation for open access and retail competition in the power industry.

Recently, Trans-Asia launched its HELP Earth program, in conjunction with its 40th anniversary celebration.

HELP Earth stands for “Harnessing Energy Literacy for Planet Earth”, which introduces energy education module into the curriculum of the selected schools. It is being piloted by Trans-Asia at elementary and secondary schools at its host communities in Bulacan and Guimaras; as well as at the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) in Diliman, Quezon City.

The six initial beneficiaries of the HELP Earth program are: Sapang Kawayan Elementary School, Kanyakan Elementary School and Bitungol Elementary School in Bulacan; UPIS Elementary and UPIS High School in Quezon City; and Salvacion National High School in Guimaras province.

Viray said the program is anchored on the company’s core stewardships, primarily on education and the environment.

Viray added it is only through proper education or training programs that the next generation would be able to learn and appreciate the importance of energy as a backbone of the economy, and how sustainable, efficient and cleaner alternatives be able to respond to the call of abating the risks of global warming.        – Donabelle Gatdula