Meralco unit, Japanese firm tie up for power project

MANILA, Philippines - Meralco PowerGen Corp., a subsidiary of Manila Electric  Co., and Chubu Electric Power Corp. of Japan are teaming up for the construction of a 1,500-megawatt liquefied natural gas power plant in Quezon province.

“Meralco PowerGen, in partnership with Chubu Electric,  are working under a joint study agreement to assess the construction of a LNG combined cycle-fired power plant and regasification facility in Atimonan, Quezon,” said Meralco PowerGen senior vice president Angelito Lantin in a recent briefing.

He said the company is waiting for the issuance of the environmental compliance certificate for the proposed project.

Lantin said an initial review of the joint study indicates technical and environmental feasibility for the development of an LNG-fired power plant in the area.

He said  with no significant opposition, the project is expected to be online by August 2018.

As this developed, Lantin said Meralco PowerGen and Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. will apply for separate clearances for a proposed 1,500-MW LNG power project and regasification terminal in Tabangao, Batangas.

Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding last year for the project, which is expected to be online in the third or fourth quarter of 2018.

Meralco PowerGen’s portfolio includes the 600-MW coal-fired power plant at the Subic Freeport, a combined cycle power plant in Calamba, Laguna, as well as LNG and coal-fired plants.