San Miguel power unit plans to offer output of 1,313-MW plant to Meralco in new bidding process

By Alena

Mae

S. Flores

SAN Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. plans to offer the output of a 1,313.1-megawatt combined cycle power plant to Manila Electric Co. under a new competitive selection process even after it terminated the supply contract for the same project early this month.

SMGP said in a report to the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. that subsidiary Excellent Energy Resources

Inc. is constructing the Batangas combined cycle power plant that will utilize re-gasified liquefied natural gas.

It said it would offer the power output of the Batangas combined cycle power plant to Meralco when the latter holds a CSP or bidding later this year.

The company signed the engineering procurement and construction contract with Black & Veatch, BVI (Philippines) Corp. and First Balfour Inc. for the project in December 2021.

SMGP expects the construction period to be shorter with the substantial completion of the first blocks expected in one and a half to two years, compared to three to four years for coal-fired power plants.

Meralco’s previous power supply agreement for 1,200-MW contract capacity for 20 years with EERI, effective Nov. 26, 2024, was terminated on April 1, 2023.

EERI offered a levelized cost of electricity of P4.1462 per kilowatt hour dur- ing the bidding in February 2019.

SMGP decided to terminate EERI’s and Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd.’ s contract with Meralco for a total capacity of 1,800 MW over the non-issuance by the Energy Regulatory Commission of the final approvals of the agreements within the respective long stop dates on Sept. 17, 2021 and Sept. 23, 2021.

SMGP said it was also exploring possible improvements to or the retrofitting of the 1,200-MW Ilijan power plant.

The EO directs the DOE develop and issue a policy and administrative framework for the optimal development of OSW resources within 60 days from the issuance of the order. This includes the integration to the EVOSS System various permitting processes by the permitting agencies.

“OSW, if optimally developed, will play a major role in our country’s goal for a lowcarbon future, improved energy security, and reduced dependence on import fuels,” the EO read.

Alena Mae S. Flores

DOT promotes PH as top location for US

filmmakers

THE Department of Tourism met US-based filmmakers in Los Angeles, California to help promote Philippine film tourism.

The meeting on Apr. 21, 2023 gathered film executives and creative industries stakeholders of LA during one of the ‘listening tours’ of the DOT overseas to collect insights from Filipino and other international filmmakers and devise ways to spur the viability of film tourism development in the Philippines.

“We are determined to push for the country and for the Filipino story to be told, and also to pitch for the Philippines as a viable destination to tell stories from around the world,” said DOT Secretary Christina Frasco.

She encouraged international movie producers and filmmakers to consider the Philippines as their next film location.

The Philippines offers filming incentives through the Film Development Council of the Philippines. Under the FDCP is the Film Philippines Office, of which the DOT is a member. Othel V. Campos