EDC will optimize its Bacon-Manito geothermal project in Bicol and its plants in Leyte.

Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is looking to optimize and expand the production capacity of its existing geothermal plants by up to 60 megawatts (MW) over the next two years.

“We just have a small expansion within our existing sites. Those are what we call optimization plants,” EDC president and chief operating officer Richard Tantoco said at the sidelines of an energy forum in Taguig City on Wednesday.

“For the next two years, we would (expand by) 50 to 60 MW of power,” he said.

Tantoco said the plants to be optimized include the Bacon-Manito geothermal project in Bicol and its plants in Leyte.

The Bicol project is composed of 120-MW Bac-Man 1 and 20-MW Bac-Man 2, while the Mt. Apo plant has the 52-MW Mindanao 1 and 54-MW Mindanao 2.

In Leyte, EDC owns and operates the 2325-MW Malitbog, 180-MW Mahanagdong, 125-MW Upper Mahiao, and 112.5-MW Tongonan, all under the Tongonan Geothermal Project.

Tantoco said that the company is still finalizing the expansion plan, adding that it is working on partnerships with different companies.

“I don’t know the final (project cost) because negotiations are currently ongoing,” he said.

“We’re very interested to invest so we are looking for partners.”

As of 31 December, EDC and its subsidiaries own and operate a diversified portfolio of renewable energy projects in the Philippines with a total installed capacity of 1,472 MW across geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar projects.

EDC said its power generation in the country represents 9 percent of the total power generation capacity.