STEAG reports zero emission violation

STEAG State Power Inc., (SPPI), partly owned by Aboitiz Power Corporation, reported a zero emission violation since it started its operations in November 2006.

The entry of SPPI, the only coal-fired power plant in Mindanao provided and expanded the electricity generation mix resulting to a more stable power to the grid.

SPPI plant manager Oliver Brock said that the company is making sure that the plant does not have to shut down unexpectedly being a base-load plant.

"We strictly follow our schedule for preventive maintenance so we won't have bigger problems later on," said Brock.

One of the two 105 MW (mega-watt) coal-fired units of STEAG is set for preventive maintenance check by November this year, which will last for a few weeks, he said.

In order to allay fears of coal plants emitting harmful toxic and greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere, STEAG is the only power plant in the country equipped with a real time continuous emission monitoring system (EMCS), which is connected to the Environment Management Bureau (EMB), in Cagayan de Oro City.

He said the system allows government regulators to monitor in a 24/7 cycle, the plant's emission levels for Sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and other gases

"This shows our commitment to deliver power but also to protect our host community and environment," he said.

In August last year, Aboitiz Power Corporation signed a Share Purchase Agreement with STEAG, to own 34 percent stake in STEAG State Power, Inc., in a winning bid of US$91.91 million.

The coal plant supplies 20.51 percent of Mindanao's power demand and just came online just in time as the island needed critical energy to feed its economic growth.      The island continues to rely much on renewable hydroelectric power sources which cover for half of the island's power needs and geothermal plants which contribute 11 percent. – Ehda M. Dagooc