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Geothermal provides 20% of electricity in Negros Occidental – with room to grow

Geothermal provides 20% of electricity in Negros Occidental – with room to grow Palinpinon geothermal plant, Philippines (source: Commons/ Wikimedia)
Alexander Richter 7 Sep 2016

Geothermal energy provides around 20% of the power supply in Negros Occidental, a province in the Philippines. With room to grow it provides a great opportunity and much needed stable power supply for the province.

Stability of power supply continues to be a crucial issue in the key growth markets for the geothermal energy industry, which also applies to the Philippines.

So it is not surprising that the business sector in Negros Occidental in the Philippines is welcoming more power projects to be developed in the region.

Today, geothermal power provides about 20% of electricity in the province, the rest is provided by coal fired thermal plants in Cebu and Iloilo. Geothermal in that regard is not only a greener option but also cheaper and therefore seen as a great option for increased power supply away from the currently coal dominated power supply.

Currently, EDC is planning for an expansion of the Palinpinon geothermal plant by 60 MW, which currently provides a much needed stable power supply.

There are though also opportunities for hydro power plants with various run-of-the-river systems that are currently not utilised.

Source: Sun Star