MGen submits land plan for Atimonan coal power plant

MANILA, Philippines — Meralco Power Gen Corp. (MGen) has submitted a land use plan to the local government of Atimonan in Quezon, which hosts the power company’s 2x600-megawatt (MW) ultra supercritical coal-fired power plant.

Atimonan One Energy Inc. (A1E) and Grandt Planners have provided assistance for the development of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) for Atimonan, Quezon.

Atimonan will be developed as an agro-industrial center, anchored on agriculture and tourism.

CLUP is a planning document prepared by cities and municipalities to rationalize the allocation and proper use of its land resources. It maps out the public and private land uses, which shall be enacted through a zoning ordinance.

Atimonan’s CLUP was a product of a series of discussions and planning sessions that were conducted in 2018.

“This CLUP seeks to achieve a synchronized development, supported by an adaptive infrastructure system in Atimonan,” Atimonan Mayor Rustico Joven Mendoza said.

MGen president and chief executive officer Rogelio Singson said A1E is one with the local government unit in pushing for the progress of Atimonan.

MGen is the parent company of A1E, the developer of the planned 1,200-MW high efficiency, low emissions coal-fired power plant that is among the key infrastructures expected to rise in Atimonan in the future.

“We all agree that what we want to happen in Atimonan is for the common good of everyone,” Singson said, noting that MGen aspires to set a standard of excellence not only in power plant operations but also in developing and engaging host communities to make them progressive and sustainable.

The assistance for the development of CLUP was provided in an underlying memorandum agreement between A1E and the Atimonan LGU.

Under the agreement, A1E provided assistance in the preparation of a study that optimizes socio-economic benefits from the power plant development.

A1E tapped GPI as a third-party consultant to aid the municipality in development strategies that can serve as basis for the CLUP and zoning ordinances.

The power generating arm of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will decide in the “next few months” whether it will proceed to build its 2x600-megawatt MW ultra supercritical coal-fired power plant in Atimonan, Quezon as a merchant plant as its power supply deal still hangs, chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

Originally targeted for completion by 2021, the P135-billion A1E plant has yet to commence construction due to pending regulatory approval for its power supply agreement from the Energy Regulatory Commission.

The Atimonan power plant was granted a certificate of energy project of national significance (CEPNS), entitling it to all the rights and privileges under Executive Order 30 signed by President Duterte, requiring speedy permitting process from agencies.