DENR clears $185-M geothermal power plant project in

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has granted local renewable company Emerging Power Inc. (EPI) an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) on the company’s $185-million Mindoro geothermal power plant project in Oriental Mindoro.

EPI chairman Martin Antonio Zamora said the ECC signifies the government’s trust and confidence in the capability of the company to pursue its renewable energy project.

“This signifies the government’s trust and confidence in the capability of EPI to start work on our renewable energy project without disturbing the environment or the community around it,” Zamora said.

The ECC, issued by the DENR on July 28, will enable EPI to start drilling on the first geothermal well pad in the geothermal power plant. The power facility will supply an additional 40 megawatts of power to the whole island of Mindoro by the third quarter of 2016.

 “The geothermal project will not only stabilize power supply in the island-province but also bring down electricity costs and pave the way for downstream industries and livelihood that will improve socio-economic conditions in Mindoro,” Zamora said.

Based on estimates, the geothermal project is expected to result in as much as P2.1 billion in savings or by 40 percent from the current P11 per kilowatt-hour to P6.58 per kwh in electricity bills the people of Mindoro will pay in four years’ time.

The project has also received general support from local officials who want the island to become the country’s “green energy hub.”

 “We welcome the entry of new renewable energy player (EPI) in Oriental Mindoro to help stabilize power in our progressive province. EPI’s $185-million Mindoro geothermal power plant project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro will help sustain the economic growth in the entire island-province,” said Oriental Mindoro Rep. Salvador Leachon.