Sarangani Energy starts commissioning 210-MW power plant

MANILA, Philippines - Sarangani Energy Corp. (SEC) of Alsons Power group has started commissioning the first 105-megawatt section of its 210-MW coal-fired power plant in the province, putting it on track to make available additional supply to the Mindanao grid by early 2016.

“We have begun initial stages of commissioning and this will kick into high gear in November,” Alsons Power project implementation vice president and head of coal operations Nicandro Fucoy said in a text message to The STAR.

“We are on track to commence commercial operations in the first quarter of 2016,” he said.

Once it starts operating, the SEC plant will augment power supply in the Mindanao grid ahead of the May 2016 elections.

“During the May 2016 elections, SEC section 1 will be providing power to over three million people in Sarangani, General Santos City, Compostela Valley, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte and South Cotabato,” Fucoy said.

The Phase 1 of the SEC plant costs $309 million and was constructed by Daelim Industrial Ltd. of Korea.

Soon after operating the first unit, SEC will start constructing the second 150-MW unit.

In July, Fucoy said the company aims to achieve financial close by the end of the 2015 to first quarter next year for the 105-MW Phase 2 SEC plant.

SEC is currently bidding out the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to determine the final cost of the project.

The Phase 2 of the SEC plant is targeted to start commercial operations by 2018, to run in full capacity of 210 MW, providing power to a total of six million.