Filinvest set to start operation of 405-MW power plant in 2016

MANILA, Philippines - The Filinvest Group said it expects its 405-megawatt power plant in Mindanao to commence commercial operations in early 2016.

It said it has already awarded contracts for the plant in preparation for its commercial operations.

FDC Misamis, a subsidiary of the Filinvest Group’s utilities arm FDC Utilities Inc., said yesterday that it has awarded the equipment supply contract to the First Northeast Electric Power Engineering Corp. of China’s Energy Engineering Group.

The plant will utilize clean fuel technology and would be adopting the circulating fluidized bed boiler technology consistent with Filinvest’s commitment toward enhanced environmental management.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Filinvest said FDC Misamis’ plant would comply with the highest environmental standards.

“We at FDC Misamis are committed to environmentally sound projects. We call for balanced development. We must continue to care for our environment but not to the detriment of our economic and technological advanced,” said FDC Misamis president Jesus Alcordo.

FDC Misamis executive vice president Mario Pangilinan said that the company would employ world-class power equipment using internationally-accepted standards to ensure efficient and reliable operation of the plant.

FDC Misamis has also awarded the construction contract for the power plant to NEPC Power Construction Corp. (NEPC) Philippines), which is a partnership with Engineering Equipment Inc. (EEI), which in turn will be undertaking the civil, electrical and mechanical works.

Alstom, a global player in power generation, meanwhile, will supply the steam turbine and generator directly from their manufacturing facilities in Europe while the circulating fluidized bed boilers and auxiliaries shall be provided by Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd., a boiler manufacturer in China.

FDC Misamis will construct the 405-MW power plant within the Phividec Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental.

The plant shall be connected to the Mindanao grid and is expected to support the growing power demand in the region by early 2016.