The Philippines- The Philippine National Oil company (PNOC) installs 49-mw power plant

Delayed for almost 12 years, the construction of the 49-megawatt power plant of the Northern Negros Geothermal Project (NNGP) by the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC)-Energy Development Corporation (EDC) was started only last March 13, 2005. In the turnover of command to the new resident manager of the PNOC-EDC in the NNGP here Thursday, Paul Aquino, PNOC chief executive officer and president, said the geothermal energy could provide a viable source of electric energy to the whole Negros Island.

"The project amounts to USñ68.5 million and is funded by the Japan Bank for International Insurance Corporation," said Aquino, adding, "This is the first merchant geothermal plant in the Philippines. Basically, we can go directly to any electric cooperative that is interested to buy electric power." Aquino is hoping that the million-dollar project will be completed by December 2006. "We are confident to reach the expected month of completion before we launch the commissioned test of the geothermal project," he said. "The project demand in Negros Occidental is very high. The power source of Bacolod as well as other cities and municipalities in this province was based from Palinpinon plant in Valencia, Negros Oriental," noted Aquino. He added that power generated from Palinpinon usually went to Cebu, Leyte, among others.

In Negros Occidental, Aquino admitted that the province has been affected with power supply shortage because of the poor supply received from Palinpinon. "This is not a simple job and we are very happy for the support showed by the local government units, NGOs, among others to this project," said Aquino. Noriaki Narita, NNGP contractor, said they are closely coordinating with PNOC for the success of the project. Narita said the Filipino people will entirely benefit from the geothermal power plant. Gino de la Cruz, newly installed resident manager, said PNOC is transparent especially to environmentalists who oppose the project. "We need to help each other for the good of the country," said De la Cruz.