EDC president and COO Jerome Cainglet welcomes guests to the unveiling of the new power plant in AlbayEnergy Development Corporation unveiled its 28.9- megawatt (MW) Palayan Binary Geothermal Power Plant (PBGPP) in Albay as part of the expansion of its existing 140-MW Bacon-Manito (BacMan) facility.

The P7-billion project operated by BacMan Geothermal Inc. harnesses the thermal energy of brine, a by-product of EDC’s 120-MW Palayan Bayan 1 flash geothermal power plant, to generate electricity without the need for additional steam. It employs a zero-discharge system that ensures brine and other fluids are efficiently reinjected into the reservoir, minimizing environmental impact.

PBGPP was synchronized with the Luzon grid in January this year. Gross annual generation is projected at 253,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) and net annual generation is 219,800 MWh. The renewable energy power plant is expected to reduce the country’s carbon emissions by an estimated 72,200 tonnes each year.

PBGPP is one of four geothermal growth projects conceived and commenced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which are all targeted to be operational this 2024 with a combined overall capacity of 86 MW. The others are Mahanagdong Binary in Leyte, Tanawon Binary also in BacMan and Bago Binary in Negros Occidental.

“Construction of the PBGPP began in the last quarter of 2021 amid the uncertainties of the pandemic. Despite these challenges, we have remained steadfast in advancing these projects while prioritizing the health and safety of all our workers,” said EDC president and chief operating officer Jerome Cainglet.

“We thank all our EDC employees involved in this landmark project for their tireless dedication and commitment, as well as our partner contractors and relevant government bodies such as the provincial government of Bicol, local government of Manito, Albay, Department of Energy (DOE), the Energy Regulatory Commission, the Board of Investments and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines,” he added.

PBGPP was granted an energy project of national significance certificate by the DOE in November 2020, highlighting its importance in the country’s continuing efforts to utilize indigenous energy resources toward energy security and independence.

(Story/Photos by:Frances Ariola)