The Energy Department will proceed with the privatization of the 650-megawatt Malaya thermal power plant in Pililla, Rizal within the year.
“DoE’s position is to proceed with privatization but to require the winning bidder to convert either to LNG (liquefied natural gas) or coal,” Energy Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III said.
Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. has put on hold the bidding for the Malaya power project pending the issuance of the terms of reference on the department’s proposed conversion proposal.
“Of course, to be fair there will be safeguards such as conversion to occur when there is sufficient available supply of LNG. In any case, conversion of MTPP by a winning bidder in the future would require DoE guidance and approval,” Pulido said.
Pulido said the privatization would push through within the year as “it was put on hold in order to revise the TOR to reflect the requirements for conversion.
