Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc., the publicly-listed energy company of the Alcantara Group, plans to start construction of three major power projects with a combined capacity of 225 megawatts in Mindanao before the end of the year.
Alsons said in a statement the three projects included the second 105-MW unit of the 210-MW coal-fired power plant of Sarangani Energy Corp. in Maasim, Sarangani; the 15-MW Siguil run-of-river hydroelectric plant also in Maasim; and the 105-MW San Ramon Power Inc. baseload coal-fired power plant in Talisayan, Zamboanga City.
The second unit of the Sarangani Energy power plant is expected to begin operations in 2018.
“For SEC 2, we expect to award the engineering procurement and construction contract within the next few days. And we expect the construction within the year,” Alsons executive vice president and chief operating officer Tirso Santillan said.
Alsons earlier said Saragani Energy’s first unit began operating in April, providing 105 MW of baseload power to more than three million residents of Sarangani province, General Santos City and other parts of Mindanao to help ensure an ample and steady supply of electricity ahead of the May 9 elections.
The Sarangani power plant, once it reaches full operations, will serve six million people in the region. The $570-million Sarangani Energy power plant is the single largest investment in Sarangani province and the entire Region 12.
Meanwhile, the 15-MW Siguil run-of-river power plant is Alson’s first renewable energy venture. The hydropower project is expected to be completed by 2018.
The company also plans to develop other run-of-river hydropower projects with a total potential capacity of 185 MW in Mindanao and Negros Occidental.
The 105-MW San Ramon coal-fired power plant is projected to begin operating in 2019 to provide baseload power to Zamboanga City.
Alsons currently operates three diesel power facilities, including the 103-MW Mapalad Power Corp. diesel plant in Iligan City, the 55-MW Southern Philippines Power Corp. facility in Alabel, Sarangani and the 100-MW power plant of the Western Mindanao Power Corp. in Zamboanga City.
All four Alsons power plants have significantly contributed to alleviating the power shortage in Mindanao.