Mindanao solon backs P30B power plant construction

MANILA, Philippines - A Mindanao lawmaker on Friday welcomed the construction of a P30-billion power plant in Misamis Oriental, saying it  would help the province and the whole of Mindanao, which has been experiencing power outages.

Misamis Oriental Rep. Juliette Uy said the 405-megawatt power plant of the FDC Misamis Power Corporation would spur more economic opportunities for the localities when it goes into commercial operations.

"More investments and business development for the province will flow once the power plant commences construction and more so when it goes online," Uy, a member of the House Committee on Energy, said.

"In keeping with the need for continued development and strict environmental protection standards, we are informed that the power plant to be put up by FDC Misamis will use circulating fluidized bed boiler technology, the latest in clean coal technology known," Uy added.

She said the clean coal technology convinced her and local officials to endorse the project to be constructed in an 84.4 hectare area within the Phividec Industrial Estate in the barangays of Balacanas, Tambobong and San Martin of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

FDC Misamis said the technology removes more than 95 percent of sulphur emissions and creates negligible nitrogen oxide levels while generating useful by-products such as calcium sulphate that is useful for cement production.

"This energy project will also help diversify the energy mix in Mindanao and hopefully ensure the supply of reliable and cheap electricity for Misamis Oriental and the rest of the region," Uy said.