AboitizPower switches on Davao coal-fired plant

MANILA, Philippines - Aboitiz Power Corp. said the first unit of the 300-megawatt (MW) Therma South Inc. (TSI) coal-fired power plant is now online and will start delivering its contracted capacity to 20 electric cooperatives in Mindanao by the end of the week.

AboitizPower disclosed Tuesday the first 150-MW of TSI’s project in Davao City is already in full commercial operations.

The power plant will deliver contracted power to its more than 20 customers – electric cooperatives and distribution utilities all over Mindanao starting Sept. 18, 2015.

“We have informed our customers and our stakeholders that we are now officially in commercial operations and supplying Mindanao with reliable and cost-effective baseload power,” TSI president and COO Benjamin A. Cariaso Jr. said.

“We are here not only to help Mindanao solve the current power crisis. The Aboitiz Group is committed to helping Mindanao sustain its economic growth and fulfill its potential,” he added.

The 150-MW Unit 1 has been synchronized with the Mindanao grid since June and was originally scheduled to start commercial operations by end-June.

Since 2006, the first unit of the plant was only the first major power plant added to the Mindanao grid.

Meanwhile, AboitizPower said the second 150-MW unit is scheduled for commercial operations in early 2016.

The power plant started construction in 2012 and, at its peak, employed more than 4,500 workers, mostly from its host communities.

The second unit is facing a 10-month delay in commercial operations until February 2016 after the Mindanao-wide blackout in April damaged its auxiliary components.

The power plant will supply power to major cities of Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Gen. Santos, Butuan, Kidapawan Cotabato and Tagum. It will also serve the provinces of Davao, Caraga, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, parts of Bukidnon, parts of Misamis and parts of Zamboanga peninsula.

TSI’s 300-MW circulating fluidized-bed (CFB) coal-fired power plant is located on the boundary of Brgy. Binugao, Toril District, Davao City and Brgy. Inawayan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

The company earlier said the power plant’s capacity will be expanded to 645 MW, targeted for completion in 2018.