PHILIPPINES LOOKS TO GEOTHERMAL

Western Visayas gets clean energy from Green Core
JE/VS, September 30, 2010 (GMANewsTV)

"Green Core Geothermal Inc., an affiliate of Energy Development Corp., said Thursday that some provinces in the Western Visayas region would enjoy clean and affordable power in the next 12 years…[through a Green Core] contract with Iloilo Electric Cooperative (Ileco), Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco), and Capiz Electric Cooperative (Capelco)…[for power] from its 112.5-MW Tongonan-1 in Leyte and 192.5-MW Palinpinon facilities in Negros Oriental.

"The cooperatives said that geothermal power [which provides 70% of their generation] is the best [and cheapest] option for them…[N]o value-added tax is imposed on renewable energy resources…Aklan is located at the tip of the grid…[Geothermal will] address the supply shortage in the Visayas grid…"

Located in the heart of the Ring Of Fire, the Philippines has only begun to tap its geothermal resources. (click to enlarge)

"According to the contract, Green Core will supply Akelco — which services 17 municipalities in Aklan and two municipalities in Antique — with 18 megawatts (MW) in 2010 and 10 MW from 2011 to 2020."

The Philippines is a world leader in geothermal. (click to enlarge)

"Ileco, whose franchise areas cover 15 municipalities, will get 3 MW from 2010 to 2012 and 18 MW from 2012-2022, the contract read.

"Capelco, on the other hand, will get 12 MW from Green Core for the next 10 years to energize 17 cities and municipalities in Capiz…"