The need for reliable, clean energy has been heightened as Filipinos grapple with the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is impossible to fight the invisible enemy without power as homes, hospitals, transportation facilities, government units rely on it to function properly.
In her recent talk at the 15th National Chemical Engineering Week, Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX) Production Services Team Lead Michelle Malonzo tackled how resilience enables Malampaya to continuously provide energy for the country especially in a time of a health crisis.
"The Malampaya Offshore Platform and the Onshore Gas Plant are key installations to the nation’s energy security as it is the only local producer of indigenous natural gas. It supplies up to 30 percent of the power in Luzon and ever more, during the pandemic when you need vital facilities like hospitals, groceries, transportation, infrastructures to keep on going," said Malonzo.
"This pandemic has really pushed us to think outside the box on how to make people safe and functioning while being socially distant," she added.
SPEX is the operator of the Malampaya Deepwater Gas-to-Power Project which provides up to 30 percent of Luzon’s electricity needs by producing cleaner-burning natural gas.
It has been operating since 2001 and is one of the largest and most significant industrial endeavors in Philippine history, generating over $11 billion of much-needed revenues for the government.
Operating Malampaya like clockwork during the pandemic is crucial not just for SPEX but also for the country as it keeps the lights on for Filipinos.
“Before we do anything about disaster resilience, we need to understand the ‘why.' Why are we doing this? For SPEX, it is our motto to deliver natural gas safely for the country. Every day, the challenge is to provide continuous gas delivery to customers in a safe and reliable manner that will enable us to fulfill our commitments to our stakeholders such as the Philippine government, joint venture partners and shareholders, our customers, to our employees, to those whom we do business with, and to the society,” Malonzo said.
Given the unpredictable situation, Malampaya developed certain measures and strengthened its business continuity management to continue delivering natural gas to its customers in a safe, efficient, and reliable way, Malonzo added.
Clear, well-defined roles and protocols, creative problem solving as well as leadership and accountability among the employees are key factors for an effective business continuity plan, she said.
Moreover, the strong partnership and collaboration with the government specifically the Department of Energy, PNOC-EC; local government units of El Nido, Palawan and Batangas; as well as airport authorities in Puerto Princesa and Manila have helped the company avoid disruptions.
“The bayanihan between national and local units has helped us maintain providing energy and making the SPEX frontliners arrive to the facilities safe,” Malonzo said.