PHL’s first supercritical power plant inaugurated in Mauban, Quezon

Yellow alerts in Luzon’s power grid may soon be reduced with a newly constructed power plant in Mauban, Quezon.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday attended the inauguration of San Buaneventura Power Ltd. Co.'s a coal-fired power plant which promises to deliver 500 megawatts.

The SBPL plant is  the first supercritical power plant in the country constructed with the partnership of Meralco Powergen Corporation (MGen) and the Electricity Generating Company of Thailand.

"I am truly pleased that this participation has led to the construction of this environment-friendly power generation facility which will not only help in the development of our communities in Mauban, Quezon, but more importantly, augment the current level [of] power supply in Luzon," Duterte said.

Former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, now President and CEO of MGen, said a supercritical power plant operated on high temperatures and pressures to deliver higher efficiency and low emissions (HELE).

While ordinary coal plants have 30 to 35 percent efficiency, Singson said supercritical plants operated on 40 to 45 percent efficiency and were more environment-friendly.

“Aside from reduction in gas emissions, pati yung mga what they call particles that go into the air, the sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are also substantially reduced and therefore there is better air quality,” Singson said.

“This is a personal commitment ng Meralco to go into cleaner energy," he added.

SBPL started operation on September 26 after 42 months of feasibility tests and construction.

In terms of pricing, Singson said it would be very competitive with the current market but would still depend on prevailing exchange rates and fuel costs.

Singson said MGen was willing to construct an ultra-supercritical power plant which had a similar function but had an efficiency of 45 percent. —NB, GMA News