New power line links Sorsogon to energy grid

Bac-Man Geothermal Inc. (BGI), a unit of the renewable energy arm of the Lopez-led Energy Development Corp., is set to build and operate new transmission facilities that would seamlessly connect its projects in Sorsogon City to the national grid.

In a decision posted on its website, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said it approved BGI’s application after careful deliberation. However, BGI must still meet specific conditions and instructions outlined by the regulator.

NGCP link

The planned infrastructure will link BGI’s geothermal plants to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ (NGCP) 230 kilovolt (kV) Daraga Substation, via the 230 kV PBGPP Switchyard and the Bac-Man I 230 kV transmission facilities.

The Tanawon project involves the construction of a 20-megawatt (MW) geothermal power plant inside the Tanawon site at Barangay Bulabog and Barangay Capuy in Sorsogon City. Flash Geothermal plants are compact and easy to install, making them ideal for smaller-scale geothermal power generation.

EDC operates a network of over 1,464.5 MW, which takes up almost 20 percent of the country’s total installed renewable energy capacity.

The company’s portfolio accounts for 80 percent of the entire geothermal capacity nationwide, putting the Philippines on the map as the third largest geothermal producer in the world.