A 12-megawatt biomass power plant with a dedicated plantation will rise in Bataan after Filipino-owned Cleangreen Energy Corp. (CEC) received its operating contract from the Department of Energy (DOE).
The power plant, targeted for completion in October 2017, is expected to commence construction this year, with a plan to increase the capacity to 24 MW for the second phase of the project, said CEC president and CEO Francisco “Frankie” Dayrit.
CEC received its Biomass Renewable Energy Operating Contract from the DOE in a ceremonial signing held on Feb. 12, which was attended by Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla and Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia.
CEC’s Dayrit signed on behalf of the company, while Greenday Agri Farm president Mark S. Dayrit witnessed the momentous occasion.
The 12 MW Biomass Power Plant would be built on a six-hectare property in Bagac, Bataan.
It will utilize Giant Napier Grass (GNG) as its primary feedstock, to be sourced from a new dedicated plantation, which will be managed and operated by CEC’s sister company Greenday Agri Farm.
The plantation would be in close proximity to the biomass plant to exclusively supply the facility. Giant Napier Grass is a fast-growing grass that fully matures in six months and has high calorific value compared to other biomass, making it an ideal feedstock for power generation.
With the plantation, CEC would have constant supply of primary feedstock, ensuring steady power.
Furthermore, proponents said that the use of biomass as fuel makes the power plant carbon neutral and sustainable. It is expected to produce 100 percent renewable energy that does not harm the environment.
In terms of technology, the power plant would employ proven direct fired boiler technology. This process utilizes state-of-the-art engineering to achieve a very high efficiency of 90 percent and which is designed to handle the corrosive matter of the biomass feedstock.
According to Dayrit, the plant would help provide much needed capacity to the Luzon grid in an environment friendly manner.
“The power plant would not only augment power supply in Luzon, but would also help contribute to the preservation of the environment as its output is carbon neutral,” Dayrit said.
Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia, for his part, said the project would benefit the province.
“We welcome and support renewable, environmentally responsible energy projects such as this because it would provide economical source of energy as well as job opportunities to the people of Bataan,” Garcia said.
He added that the establishment of the power plant and the dedicated plantation would bring much needed economic benefits to the host town and its surrounding areas through increased tax income and employment opportunities for local farmers.
