The Alsons Power Group’s Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) 210 MW coal-fired power plant in Maasim, Sarangani Province is all set to begin commercial operations in the first quarter of 2016, a development that will help provide a lasting and sustainable solution to Mindanao’s five-year-old power shortage.
The SEC coal-fired power plant, situated in Maasim, Sarangani is the single largest investment in the Province of Sarangani and the entire Region 12 at US$570 million.
The plant’s first section will operate with an initial capacity of 105-megawatts (MW) providing power to more than three (3) million residents from the provinces of Sarangani, Compostela Valley, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur; the cities of General Santos, Iligan, Bayugan, Butuan, Samal, and Tagum as well as key municipalities in Davao del Norte and South Cotabato.
When it reaches its full 210-MW capacity in 2018, the SEC plant’s coverage area will include the entire province of South Cotabato and the provinces of Davao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur and key areas in Misamis Oriental and North Cotabato. Major population centers serviced by the plant when it reaches full capacity will also include the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Dapitan, Digos, Dipolog, Koronadal, Kidapawan, and Pagadian.
Upon reaching full capacity, the SEC power facility will be able to provide access to clean, reliable and affordable electricity to more than 6 million people.
Aside from the SEC plant, Alsons Power is developing the 105-MW San Ramon Power, Inc. coal-fired power plant in Zamboanga City with construction slated to commence on the second half of 2016 with commercial operations beginning in 2019. The group is also entering the renewable energy segment with the development of a 15-MW run-of-river hydroelectric power plant at Siguil River in Maasim, Sarangani.
Alsons Power currently operates three diesel plants in Mindanao: Mapalad Power Corporation’s 103-MW plant in Iligan City; the 55-MW Southern Philippines Power Corporation facility in Alabel, Sarangani; and the 100-MW power plant of the Western Mindanao Power Corporation in Zamboanga City. By 2019, the Alsons Power Group is expected to be generating a total of 588 MW – a little over 25% of Mindanao’s projected peak power demand
