Several geothermal areas to open for direct applications in the Philippines
A recent open tender for geothermal areas for two potential projects in the Philippines did not receive any bids, with them now being able for direct application.
Following the third round of the Philippines Department of Energy’s open and competitive selection process (OCSP3), several geothermal and hydropower project in so-called pre-determined areas (PD) will be made available for direct applications.
The DOE reported on Friday last week that the selection process was unsuccessful as their were no bids for 18 geothermal energy and hydropower projects. The two geothermal projects in Itogon and Maricaban Island, and eight hydropower projects did not receive any bid application.
“Pursuant to…the OCSP3 guidelines, the OCSP, with respect to the foregoing PDAs, is declared a failure,” the DoE said in an advisory signed by Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi.
The PDAs are now open for direct applications which may be submitted to the department.
The OCSP3 opened up a total of 22 PDAs for bidders. However, in its advisory, the DoE did not give updates on the status of the Daklan, Puting Lupa and Mt. Labo geothermal projects, and the Dalanas hydro project.
The OCSP3 allowed for full foreign ownership of large-scale geothermal projects including Daklan, Puting Lupa and Mt. Labo, which had a total potential capacity of 74 MW, DoE Renewable Energy Management Bureau Director Mylene C. Capongcol earlier said.
The two geothermal projects are:
- Itogon in Benguet with a potential capacity of 9 MW
- Maricaban Island, in Tingloy, Batangas, with a potential capacity of 4 MW
Source: Business Mirror