MGen unit bags 600-MW gas project in Singapore

MANILA, Philippines — PacificLight Power Pte. Ltd. (PLP), controlled by Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), has secured the right to build, own and operate a 600-megawatt gas plant in Singapore.

The contract was awarded by Singapore’s Energy Market Authority to PLP, a joint venture between MGen and Hong Kong-based conglomerate First Pacific Co.

“PLP’s continuing strong performance in a very competitive market has enabled us to move forward with this industry-leading project to bring additional clean power to Singapore,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman and CEO of MGen parent Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

Scheduled for commercial operation in January 2029, the hydrogen-ready combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) facility is poised to become the largest of its kind in Singapore.

The new plant to be built on a Greenfield site on Jurong Island will include a large-scale battery energy storage system, making it the first-ever CCGT unit in the country to be integrated with such technology.

“PLP’s ability to take on a meaningful project such as this cements its place among MGen’s core holdings,” said Pangilinan, who also chairs MGen.

The project is expected to boost PLP’s portfolio, which currently consists of an existing 830-MW CCGT facility and a 100-MW fast-start capacity set to begin operation as early as April this year.

While a CCGT facility uses gas and steam to produce electricity, Meralco said this new plant would be capable of utilizing at least 30 percent hydrogen from inception and will have the ability to burn 100 percent hydrogen in the future.

The Greenfield site for this project is said to be expandable to accommodate a second CCGT unit, with plans to integrate carbon capture, utilization and storage technology in line with PLP’s long-term decarbonization strategies.

“As we advance with this investment, we are not only addressing Singapore’s growing energy needs but also setting a new standard for integrating efficiency and environmental responsibility in power generation,” MGen president and CEO Emmanuel Rubio said.

“Together with our partners, we are paving the way for a greener and more resilient energy future in the region,” Rubio said.

As the power generation arm of Meralco, MGen currently boasts a total gross generation capacity of 2,425 MW that is capable of supplying baseload, intermediate, peak load and ancillary support to the grid.