EDC eyes 120-MW Mindanao geothermal

Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is eyeing up to 120 megawatts (MW) of capacity from a planned geothermal project in Amacan, Davao de Oro, as it pushes to tap Mindanao’s geothermal potential.

EDC president and chief operating officer Jerome Cainglet said the site, now under initial exploration, could start at 70 MW and expand to 120 MW depending on resource availability and quality.

“We have one that is currently under exploration. Hopefully, by next year, we will be able to say we can develop a facility in Amacan, Mindanao,” Cainglet said in a recent interview.

“If we can confirm by next year that it’s commercially feasible, then another two to three years to construct,” he added.

Apart from Amacan, EDC is also exploring geothermal sites in Rizal and Negros as part of its long-term renewable energy expansion strategy.

The company expects to spend about P13 billion this year for group projects and is preparing to raise to P27 billion to support its growth pipeline.

P7-B plant in Bicol starts

Last month, EDC switched on its P7-billion Tanawon Geothermal Power Plant in Bicol.

The 22-MW facility can produce 159,000 megawatt-hours annually, cut carbon emissions by about 38,312 tons, and boost the country’s baseload supply. It is the second of seven growth projects, following the 29 MW Palayan Binary Geothermal Plant launched in July 2024.