A new geothermal power plant aimed at increasing renewable energy capacity in the Bicol Region has been inaugurated in Barangay Nagotgot, Manito, Albay.
The Palayan Binary Geothermal Power Plant is operated by Energy Development Corporation (EDC).
Unlike traditional geothermal plants that use steam from underground sources, this plant uses hot water that is then re-injected back underground after extracting its heat to power turbines for electricity generation.
"Before yung waste stage [nyan na] yung iba tinatapon lang, the technology ng EDC — FCR [which] is a Fluid Collection Reinjection system — we tend to return yung tubig na yun sa ilalim ng lupa," Engr. Andre Beronilla, Maintenance Supervisor at EDC, said.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the plant plays a significant role in the National Renewable Energy Program and will contribute to stabilizing the Luzon Grid's electricity supply.
"Sa plant projects ng EDC, makakatulong yan sa Luzon kasi talagang medyo manipis tayo [sa supply], dumadaan tayo lalo na itong extreme summer napakainit... any capacity that will contribute to the grid, in any grid [of] Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. [This] will greatly help us address yung ating power supply situation," Mylene Capongcol, Assistant Secretary of the DOE, said.
EDC also believes that public preference for renewable energy sources is growing.
"During the time na nagkaroon ng Ukraine crisis, yung nag-umpisa yan, nagtriple [o] times four yung presyo ng ibang technology, pero [ang] geothermal [ay] constant lang," Jerome Cainglet, President/Chief Operating Officer of EDC, said.
Recognizing Albay's significant potential, EDC plans to expand its presence further in the province with additional plant installations in the future.
LUZON GRID
The Luzon Grid faced red and yellow alerts issued by NGCP on various dates between April 2024 to June 2024.
According to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), two plants in Luzon have been on forced outage since 2023, three between January and March 2024, and 11 between April and May 2024.
A red alert status is issued when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement, while a yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.
