by Myrna Velasco, Febraury 22, 2015
from Manila Bulletin
The unit 1 of the rehabilitated Bacon-Manito (BacMan) geothermal power plant will undergo a 30-day reliability run process, following the installation of a ‘permanent fix’ to the facility.
Plant owner Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has announced in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) that “with the completion of a 3-day capability run at 60MW, the unit has now started its 30-day reliability run.”
It emphasized that “the power plant is currently operating at its rated load of 55MW after conducting all commissioning works and tests on completion.”
The installation of brand new Toshiba steam turbine rotor unit and diaphragms for its unit 1 has fixed the facility on a permanent.
The 130-megawatt BacMan plant underwent rehabilitation since it was acquired from the government via the privatization program administered by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation.
The sale process was undertaken in 2010, but it took some time before the geothermal plant’s units were rehabilitated and brought back to commercial operation.
There had also been hits-and-misses in the facility’s repair work, that one even reached judicial arbitration for some disputes to be resolved.
Last year, EDC indicated that the completed rehabilitation of the facility could shore up grid supply in the Visayas – especially on anticipated critical months this year.
Luzon and Visayas grids are interconnected, hence, even Luzon could also benefit from the BacMan capacity in case export of capacity will be feasible – depending on which grid would have better fate on supply.
Summer months are seen critical this year, hence, the government and industry players have been counting every megawatt that can be tapped to augment supply and which could possibly spare consumers from dreaded rotating brownouts.
PHILIPPINE POWER INSIGHTS 