| Abstract |
Located in the Circum-Pacific Rim of Fire, the Philippines is endowed with both mineral and energy resources. Philippines ranks second in the world (next to the United States of America) in using geothermal energy for electricity generation. From seven (7) production fields, a total of 1848 MWe of electricity is produced which constitutes nearly 12% of the electricity requirements in the country. The success of the Philippines in exploiting geothermal energy may be attributed on good governance and commendable government-industry collaboration. Future plans for development of more fields for electricity production as well as direct uses of the geothermal waters are in the pipeline. The Department of Energy is currently planning to increase the countries capacity by installing another 1.445 MW by the year 2030.Expansion to increase or at least maintain the performance of current production fields within its vicinities are being done. Before the end of 2014, the Maibarara Geothermal Field with a power generation capacity of 20 MW is expected to operate commercially along with the transfer completion of the Northern Negros Geothermal plant to the 20 MW Nasulo geothermal facility within the Palinpinon geothermal complex. Projects in the pre-development stage located in the island of Luzon include the 27 MW Mabini Project (Batangas), Negron Cuadrado Geothermal prospect (Zambales-Pampanga), 100 MW Kalinga project, 60-100 MW Bontoc-Sadanga geothermal project (Mt. Province), 60-100 MW Buguias-Tinoc Geothermal project (Benguet-Ifugao), 40 MW West Bulusan project, Iriga Geothermal prospect (Camarines Sur),Mariveles geothermal prospect (Bataan), East Mankayan Geothermal project (Benguet-Ifugao) and 70 MW Montelago Geothermal project (Mindoro) where hot springs, spa and aquaculture is planned to be established. Projects in the islands of Visayas and Mindanao include the 49 MW Biliran (Caibiran) Geothermal project and the North Cotabato prospects. |