Citicore Power subsidiaries get license to operate plant

By Lenie Lectura – July 26, 2017 

from Business Mirror

TWO Citicore Power Inc. subsidiaries were awarded certificates of compliance (COCs) for their respective solar-power projects.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) granted the COCs to Next Generation Power Technology Corp. (NGPT) on July 6 and to First Toledo Solar Energy Corp. (FTSEC) on July 18. The two wholly owned subsidiaries of renewable-energy company Citicore Power complied with all the necessary permits and requirements to operate their respective power-generation facilities, the ERC said.

NGPT owns and operates an 18-megawatt (MW) solar-power plant within the Freeport Area of Bataan in Mariveles, while FTSEC owns and operates a 60-MW solar-power plant in Toledo City, Cebu.

The COC is proof that a power plant complies with all the applicable regulations deeming it safe to switch on and operate. According to the Revised ERC COC Rules of 2014, no person or entity may be engaged in generation of electricity unless it has secured a COC from the ERC to operate its new power-generation facility.

These COCs enable our two solar plants to generate electricity for our customers in Bataan and Cebu, Citicore Power executive Manolo Candelaria said. Candelaria, executive vice president for the firm’s commercial and development operations, added securing the certificates is “in line with one of our goals to become a compliant company that cares for the environment”.

Citicore Power is currently working to secure the COC of its third solar plant located in Silay City, Negros Occidental, that operates under Silay Solar Power Inc. (SSP).

“With the clearance of our solar plants, Citicore Power sticks true to its mission to produce the most cost-efficient clean energy, promoting inclusive growth and creating opportunities in the communities where we operate,” Citicore Power Energy Regulations Manager Rio Balaba said.

Balaba said the company is committed to the development not only of solar-power plants, but also of power stations that will use other types of renewable energy sources, such as wind, biomass and hydropower.  Citicore Power is a subsidiary of Citicore Holdings Investment Inc. Earlier, Citicore Power secured five service contracts from the energy department for its pumped-storage hydropower projects with a total capacity of 2,300 MW.