SMPC to expand capacity of Zamboanga power plant

BY LENIE LECTURA – FEBRUARY 22, 2023
from Business Mirror

San Miguel Consolidated Power Corp. (SMPC) is proposing to expand its 28megawatt (MW) gas turbine power plant project by another 28MW for P1.6 billion, bringing the total project cost to P3.2 billion.

In a filing with the environmental management bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), SMPC said the proposed expansion project is meant to address the increasing power demand in Zamboanga City.

“With the projections of increasing power demand in Zamboanga Peninsula in the coming years, the company decided to increase its power generation capacity to 56MW,” SMPC said.

The first 28MW is still in the construction phase and costs P1.6 billion.

The proposed expansion project, or another 28MW, will cover the installation of additional one unit modular gas turbine power plant fueled with diesel oil. This will be connected via a transmission line to the 69kV substation which will then directly be connected to the existing switching station of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines located about 200 meters away from the project site.

The company expects to complete construction in September 2024. “Target operational date for Phase 1 is third quarter of 2023 while Phase 2 is third quarter of 2024.”

Through the deployment of modular, fast-start, high speed, quick response, small capacity, diesel-fired generating units, SMCPC said the proposed 56MW gas turbine power plant aims to alleviate the power supply delivery and voltage stability issues, help augment the demand for reliable and affordable power supply of Zamboanga Peninsular and also contribute to national development.

“This type of power plant help address sudden fluctuations in the frequency and the voltage of the transmission system that are typically brought about by intermittent operation of renewable energy plants, unplanned power outages of conventional power plants, as well as the daily operational cycle of large power consumers,” the company said.