EDC plans to repurpose retiring geothermal plant

MANILA, Philippines — Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is exploring plans to repurpose its 129-megawatt (MW) geothermal power plant in Leyte following the end of its economic lifespan.

EDC vice president Ryan Velasco said the company is set to conduct feasibility studies for the potential repurposing and redevelopment of the Upper Mahiao Power Plant site in the municipality of Kananga.

This follows EDC’s submission of a letter of intent to the Department of Energy for the phased decommissioning of Upper Mahiao, which has reached its maximum economic life.

The facility was also said to have become technically incapable of generating electricity.

According to Velasco, key components of the geothermal plant typically have an economic lifespan of just 15 to 20 years.

EDC plans to complete the first phase of the plant shutdown, involving two of the four units, by 2026, with the remaining units to be decommissioned by 2029.

The Upper Mahiao plant, commissioned in 1996, had reportedly been considered for major upgrades along with other geothermal facilities in Leyte.

Other EDC plants in Leyte include the 232.61-MW Malitbog, the 198.14-MW Mahanagdong and the 123-MW Tongonan, latest company data showed.

A subsidiary of First Gen Corp., EDC is the country’s largest geothermal player. It operates at least 13 geothermal plants with a combined capacity of about 1,200 MW, the largest portfolio of its kind in the country.

Aside from the Philippines, the company intends to develop geothermal plants in Indonesia as it actively explores growth opportunities in other countries.