Ayala firm completes power projects

MANILA, Philippines - AC Energy Holdings Inc., the power generation arm of the Ayala Group, has completed several power generation projects that would add up to 370 megawatts to the Luzon grid by end-2015.

The power generation projects consist of coal-fired power plants and wind farms.

AC Energy, through Northwind Power Development Corp., has completed its 19-MW wind expansion project in Bangui, Ilocos Norte last October bringing Northwind’s capacity to 52 MW.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a certificate of endorsement for feed-in-tariff for Northwind’s 19-MW expansion.

Barely a month later, AC Energy’s affiliate North Luzon Renewable Energy Corp. (NLREC) completed another 81-MW wind farm in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

The project is awaiting the issuance of a certificate of endorsement for feed-in-tariff from the DOE. Combined, Northwind and NLREC put Ayala’s total wind power capacity at 133 MW.

For the coal projects, AC Energy has partnered with Trans-Asia Oil and Development Corp. for a 270-MW coal-fired power plant in Calaca, Batangas.

The partners are already in the final stages of completion of the first of two 135-MW unit and expect to begin commercial operations of the plant in the first quarter of 2015.

The second 135-MW unit is likewise planned for completion and operation by the end of 2015.

AC Energy president and CEO Eric Francia said the completion of the company’s power projects would boost power capacity in the Luzon grid, which is facing a looming shortage next year, and also puts the conglomerate on track to meet its goal of assembling 1,000 MW in the next few years.

“We believe the completion and operation of our two wind projects as well as the completion of our project in Calaca come very timely as these will significantly help meet the country’s immediate demand for power,” Francia said.

He said the Ayala Group has always recognized the need to build both baseload power and develop renewable energy sources.