CEBU, Philippines – The Kepco SPC Power Corporation has synchronized the first unit of its 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Colon, Naga to the Cebu-Negros-Panay grid.
The initial synchronization is seen to alleviate deficiency in the power supply in the Visayas region, particularly in Cebu, Negros and Panay. A Grid Impact Study showed that the power plant will not only increase the supply and reserve capacity, but would also contribute to the power quality in the grid.
Governor Gwendolyn Garcia who was present at the synchronization ceremony expressed her appreciation to Kepco for "keeping the faith" on the provincial government amidst "noise makers".
"I am not protecting Kepco but the people, the future generation, as well as the growth and development of Cebu," Garcia said.
The construction of the coal-fired power plant in Naga started in 2007, but was stopped due to claims of environmentalists that the power plant will have detrimental effects on the environment and on the health of people in nearby communities.
Kepco has emphasized that the power plant uses modern Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC) technology, which is described as the "most environment-friendly coal technology available to date."
Kepco Vice President Jang Pyo Lee said efficiency of this technology has reportedly been proven worldwide by more than 1,300 CFBC units operating in different countries.
The full commercialization of the first 100 megawatts is expected to materialize by February next year while Unit 2 is expected to be synchronized to the grid by May 2011. Lee emphasized that the testing and commissioning of the first 100 megawatts is expected to have significant contribution to the Visayas grid.
The plant is also expected to bring social development for the communities surrounding it, which will benefit one centavo per kilowatt hour of total electricity sales.
Also present in the synchronization ceremony were KSPC Vice President Jong Woo Moon, Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong, Department of Energy 7 Director Antonio Labios, Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau 7 Director Allan Arranguez and representatives of National Power Corporation and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. (FREEMAN)