APC to deploy power barges in Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - Aboitiz Power Corp. (APC) will deploy its newly-acquired power barges with total capacity of 242-megawatt (MW) in Luzon.

APC president and CEO Erramon Aboitiz said APC, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Therma Mobile Inc. said the four units of the barge-mounted floating power plants moored at the Fishport Complex in Navotas City (Navotas Barges) acquired last May 27, 2011, will help alleviate the electric power shortfall in Luzon.

“We believe these assets have a strategic value for Aboitiz Power’s generation portfolio. The power barges’ mobility and quick-start capability help complete the balanced mix we are trying to create,” Aboitiz said.

A power barge is essentially a floating power plant that can be towed to and moored in different areas.

But APC said transfers of these barges, however, require meticulous preparations and permits from various agencies.

According to APC, it has no immediate plans to relocate the units.

“APC’s priority is to have the units rehabilitated so they are able to deliver prime output,” Aboitiz said.

The APC executive said it foresees the completion of rehabilitation of the barges by December 2011.

The barges are expected to start generating power within the first half of 2012.

Therma Mobile, he said, will handle the operational needs of the Navotas barges, and will be selling to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and offering ancillary services.

APC acquired the power barges from Duracom Mobile Power Corp. and East Asia Diesel Power Corp. at P2.3 billion.

The Navotas barges are bunker C-fired diesel plants designed for peak load application, and will contribute to the region’s power supply needs. When fully operational, the barges will have an aggregate deliverable generating capacity of 242 MW.

APC noted that the units have not been operating for almost five years.

In the region, APC also has hydroelectric power plants up north in Ambuklao, Magat, Binga and Benguet.

The company harnesses geothermal power from the Makiling-Banahaw and Tiwi areas in Laguna and Bicol, and administrates a coal-fired plant in Pagbilao, Quezon.