EDC bids on two geothermal sites following Philippine open tender
Bacman geothermal plant, Philippines (source: EDC, Turboden)
Carlo Cariaga
5 Oct 2023
EDC has submitted bids for the Buguias-Tinoc and Sembrano geothermal sites in the Philippines, with a combined potential capacity of 140 MW.
Geothermal developer Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has submitted bids for two geothermal sites following the Open and Competitive Selection Process (OSCP4) by the Philippine Department of Energy which concluded on 28 September 2023.
EDC offered bids for the Buguias-Tinoc (100 MW) and Mt. Sembrano (20 MW) geothermal power projects. Both these sites geothermal sites had been previously evaluated by the DOE as we reported back in 2018.
No bids were submitted for a third geothermal site in Mabini (40 MW). According to the prescribed timelines of the DOE, the bids will undergo legal, technical, and financial evaluation to be completed by 12 October, and the contracts will then be awarded by the 24th of November.
A total of 20 renewable energy projects were offered for the tender, and 13 applications were received. In addition to geothermal projects, bids were received for several hydropower projects and three wind projects. The projects that have attracted no bids may be declared open for direct application.
More recently, EDC announced that the company intends to spend USD 1 billion over the next three years to support capacity growth efforts, including the drilling of new wells and other growth initiatives. In late 2022, EDC announced a five-year expansion plan that targets 100 MW of additional power generation capacity, which involves the expansion of existing sites and development of greenfield sites.
The Philippines has several geothermal projects on the pipeline as the country works to regain its previous standing as having the 2nd largest installed geothermal power capacity in the world.
Source: Inquirer and Business World
