| Title | The Growth of Philippine Geothermal Energy Development |
|---|---|
| Authors | Manuel S. Ogena and Kristine Eia S. Antonio |
| Year | 2015 |
| Conference | New Zealand Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | Philippines, geothermal, country update, expansion, RE Law |
| Abstract | Developments in the Philippine geothermal industry over the past ten years have been focused on policy reforms that encouraged the entry of new investors and promoted the privatization of government power generating assets. Activities over the last five years, however, suggest that the development momentum is once again picking up. After the decommissioning of some of the aging geothermal power plants, the total installed operating geothermal capacity in the country has increased with the commissioning of new plants. The fulfillment of two committed projects: Energy Development Corporation’s (EDC) successful transfer of the Northern Negros Power Assets to Nasulo and the operation of the Maibarara Geothermal Inc.’s Maibarara Geothermal Plant contributed almost 70 MWe to the country’s installed capacity. The return-to-service of EDC’s BacMan Geothermal Power Plant in 2014 added another 130 MWe to the country’s operating capacity. Positive indicators of continuing growth within the country include the Department of Energy’s (DOE) issuance of a Certificate of Commerciality to Biliran Geothermal Project whose power plant is slated to begin operation by 2016 and the completion of the DOE-led detailed investigation of low temperature resources in the country. The quick recovery of EDC's Leyte Geothermal Field’s operations after being devastated by typhoon Haiyan in 2013 is a testament to the resilience of the Philippine geothermal industry. Along with other pre-development activities, the Philippines is on track to achieve its vision of increasing geothermal capacity by 75% in the year 2030. In all of these frenzied geothermal efforts, EDC has been instrumental in the development of the country's geothermal resources as it continues to maintain the steam fields and power plants in their four major operating projects with an installed capacity of about 1194 MWe. EDC also has growth projects in their existing production fields and through DOE-awarded new frontier areas, as well as expansion overseas, with stakes and applications for geothermal concessions in Asia and Latin America, one of which is the Mariposa project where exploratory drilling will be undertaken this October 2015. |