20 MW Maibarara project receives DOE confirmation in the Philippines
Maibarara geothermal field at Mount Makiling, Philippines
Alexander Richter
16 Nov 2011
Maibarara Geothermal Inc. receives approval for the commercial development of the steam resources of the 20-MW geothermal project in Batangas, Philippines.
Reported from the Philippines,, “The Philippine Department of Energy has confirmed its approval of the commercial development the steam resources in the 20-megawatt Maibarara geothermal project in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI) could now proceed to the development phase of its work program. The geothermal project is scheduled to start operation by 2013.
“After a thorough review of the work accomplishments, project funding, and related construction, power sales, and transmission agreements reached by MGI, the DOE finds the project viable for commercial development,” Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug said.
“The Maibarara geothermal project is the first renewable energy project entirely initiated under the 2008 RE law framework to achieve commerciality, a milestone that demonstrates not only MGI’s operational achievements but also the growth potential of the country’s renewable energy industry,” he added.
PetroEnergy’s holds a 65 percent stake in the Maibarara geothermal facility while Trans-Asia holds a 25 percent participating interest and PNOC-Renewable Energy Corp., a 10 percent interest.
“The Maibarara geothermal project is located at the western flank of Mount Makiling, an inactive andesitic-to-rhyolitic stratovolcano which is part of the San Pablo volcanic field, also known as the Laguna volcanic field.
PetroEnergy won the geothermal energy service contract for the Maibarara project in 2010 after a competitive bidding in 2009.
From February 2010 to September this year, MGI secured the project’s environmental compliance certificate permit, acquired incentives from the Board of Investments, and conducted a geodetic and lot inventory survey, completed the work-over drilling of three wells, discharged two production wells, and obtained the approval for connection with the National Grid Corp.”
Source: Malaya Business News
