News

PGPC plans 5 new geothermal projects in the Philippines

PGPC plans 5 new geothermal projects in the Philippines Bugnay Village, Kalinga, Philippines (source: David Stanley / flickr, Creative Commons)
Carlo Cariaga 14 Nov 2022

The Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC) is planning to develop five geothermal projects across different regions in Luzon, Philippines.

During an earning presentation, the Philippine Geothermal Production Co. Inc (PGPC) announced plans of developing five new geothermal areas in the Philippines with potential additional capacity of 250 to 400 MWe. The five geothermal prospects are as follows:

  • Kalinga in Lubuagan / Kalinga
  • Daklan in Benguet
  • Cagua-Baua in Cagayan
  • Mt. Labo in Camarines Sur / Camarines Norte
  • Mt. Malinao in Albay / Camarines Sur

PGPC is 100% owned by the SM Investment Corp. (SMIC) following its acquisition earlier in the year. PGPC operates the Tiwi and Mak-ban geothermal steam fields in the Philippines, both of which have been in operation since 1979 and have a combined capacity of 300 MWe, supplying steam to the geothermal power plants of Aboitiz Power Corp.

According to SMIC, PGPC will also continue to optimize the steam supply in both Tiw and Mak-Ban. About 55 MW of new steam capacity is expected from eight to ten completed production wells between the two steam fields.

The Philippines’ Department of Energy has set a target of an additional 66 MW of geothermal power generation capacity by 2023. This will contribute to the longer-term target of 35% renewable energy in the country’s power mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040. The measures being undertaken by the Philippine Government to attain these targets were discussed during the recent Philippine International Geothermal Conference.

Source: Manila Standard