SORSOGON City, Bicol — Energy Development Corp. (EDC), the renewable energy arm of Lopez-led First Gen Corp., has formally switched on its P7-billion Tanawon Geothermal Power Plant in the Bicol region.

The 22-megawatt (MW) flash geothermal facility is capable of generating 159,000 megawatt-hours annually, which could reduce carbon emissions by about 38,312 tons per year while boosting the country’s baseload capacity.

“Tanawon’s inauguration is not only a proud achievement for First Gen and EDC, but also a win for the country’s energy security and climate resilience journey. We dedicate it to our communities, government partners, and everyone committed to a decarbonized, regenerative future,” EDC President and Chief Operating Officer Jerome H. Cainglet said during a ceremony on Friday.

Government-backed

Completed in 27 months, Tanawon sits within the Bacon-Manito geothermal facility and was developed with First Balfour and Toshiba, backed by government support.

It was declared an Energy Project of National Significance by the Department of Energy in 2020.

Tanawon is the second of seven growth projects lined up by EDC, following the 29MW Palayan Binary Geothermal Plant launched in July 2024.

Four more projects

This year, EDC plans to roll out four more projects: the 28MW Mahanagdong Binary Plant in Leyte and three battery energy storage systems totaling 40MWh in BacMan, Leyte and Negros Oriental.

Another plant, the 5.6MW Bago Binary in Negros Occidental, is set for completion by 2026.

EDC operates nearly 1,400 MW of renewable energy, making up 17 percent of the country’s total. Its geothermal capacity of over 1,000 MW accounts for 56 percent of the national total, placing the country as the world’s third-largest geothermal producer.