Maibarara nears start of comm’l operations

MANILA, Philippines - Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI) is close to starting operations of its 20-megawatt power plant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

This as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved Maibarara’s application to develop, own and operate point-to-point facilities to connect to the distribution system of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s biggest power distributor.

The proposed project will allow the interconnection of MGI to Meralco’s distribution system.

“The interconnection facility will extend from MGI’s switchyard towards Meralco’s existing 115-kV line in Calamba, Laguna with a distance of approximately six kilometers,” MGI said.

Initially, MGI planned to connect the power plant to the Luzon grid through the National Grid Corp. of the Phlippines Makban 69-kilovolt substation, which will involve the construction of an 11-kilometer to 14.1-kilometer single circuit 69-kV line substation in Bay, Laguna.

However, due to right-of-way issues, MGI opted for the Meralco option

“Based on its due diligence and initial negotiations with the lot owners, it was determined that a significant delay in the construction of the transmission line is imminent. Thus the idea was abandoned,” MGI said.

The option to connect to Meralco, which will involve the construction of a switchyard and transmission line, is estimated to cost P91 million.

“Under this option, a six-kilometer 115-kV transmission line will be constructed from Maibarara’s switchyard to Meralco’s 115-kV in Calamba City, Laguna. The line will traverse the private access road going to the power plant site then to the barangay and city roads of Brgy. Makiling and Puting Lupa, Calamba City. The transmission line will be tapped to Meralco’s 115-kV line. The cost of constructing this line is within MGI’s budget and the construction duration is shorter considering that the line is only six km long,” MGI said.

In a decision docketed early this month, the ERC approved MGI’s application provided that it would undertake necessary measures to ensure that its proposed interconnection shall not result in the degradation of the distribution system.

“MGI should undertake necessary measures to ensure that its proposed interconnection shall not result in the degradation of the distribution system,”  the ERC said.