Indons asked to bid for coal-fired power plants

The Philippine government has invited members of the Indonesia Coal Mining Association (ICMA) to take part in the bidding of the National Power Corp. (Napocor)’s coal-fired power plants.

The restructuring of the power sector under the new Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EIRA) calls for the sale of the Napocor’s generation and transmission assets.

Energy Secretary Vincent S. Perez said that during their recent visit to Jakarta, they were able to encourage the ICMA to consider buying some of the coal-fired power plants of Napocor.

"We have invited them to participate in the bidding of the coal-fired power plants particularly the Calaca and Masinloc coal-fired power plants," he said.

He noted that this will give due advantage to the ICMA members if they decide to market their coal products in the Philippines. "It will give them (ICMA) a guaranteed market if they will sell coal products here," he added.

Perez said this is line with the proposal for ICMA to also participate in the coal bidding of the Napocor. "We are looking at the possibility for ICMA to join the coal auction of the state-run company," he said.

According to him, the ICMA has committed to provide up to two million tons of coal per year to Napocor.

The bidding for the coal requirement of Napocor is done every first quarter of the year and through electronic auction.

Indonesia is one of the three countries that have been joining the coal bidding of Napocor. The other two are Australia and China. – Donnabelle Gatdula