Local community supports 60 MW expansion of Southern Negros plant by EDC
Northern Negros Geothermal Field of EDC, Philippines (source: EDC)
Alexander Richter
11 Apr 2016
The mayor of Valencia, a local community, near the Southern Negros Geothermal Plant complex by EDC, is supporting a proposed 60 MW expansion project, describing the benefit it would bring through taxes and royalties.
The mayor of Valencia, a local community near the Southern Negros geothermal plants, endorses the proposed 60 MW expansion project for the plants by Energy Development Corp. (EDC), despite objections by environmental groups.
With the expansion, it is expected that capacity of the plant will be increased from 222.5 MW to 285.5 MW. This could help support the project energy demand in late 2017.
In a statement to local media, the mayor also said, the town would benefit more from royalties and business taxes, and that the EDC has proven itself to be committed to responsible development, in maintaining a healthy environment in its areas of operation, under its 10-million-trees-in-10-years program.
The program is an expansion of EDC’s BINHI Program, which is to plant trees to increase the density of forest areas in Negros Island Region for biodiversity conservation and watershed management of Cuernos de Negros, or Mount Talinis.
“I recognized that this project will provide mutual benefit for both EDC and the municipality, thus I am enjoining my constituents to provide support to the proposed project,” Teves said.
Teves also requested the Department of Environment to expedite the issuance of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) so the project can immediately proceed.
The mayor recognized concerns by groups during public hearing and consultations, but sees that mitigating measures recommended to address any negative effects of the expansion are sufficient.
Source: PhilStar
