Aboitiz Power Corp. said Friday it decided to temporarily mothball two power barges of its wholly-owned subsidiary Therma Mobile Inc. (TMO) in Navotas City due to technical and commercial challenges.
Aboitiz Power said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange TMO received confirmation (LOC) from the Department of Energy (DOE) for the mothballing of two bunker C-fired power barges (TMO Mobile 4 and Mobile 6) at the Navotas Fishport Complex, Baradero St., Northbay Blvd. in Navotas City effective Feb. 14, 2025.
The barges have a target return to service on Feb. 1, 2027.
Aboitiz Power said the LOC was issued following TMO’s filing of a letter of intent to mothball TMO Mobile 4 and Mobile 6 “due to technical and commercial challenges that prevent or hamper their full utilization and continued safe and efficient operation.”
TMO also issued notices regarding the LOC to the appropriate offices and entities in accordance with the DOE’s implementing guidelines on the decommissioning and mothballing of a generating plant, including the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines Inc. (IEMOP), the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and other concerned bodies.
Aboitiz Power said TMO’s generation activities would continue through its two other remaining power barges—TMO Mobile 3 and Mobile 5, whose operations would not be affected.
The barges in Navotas are considered ideal for providing peaking supply and ancillary services with its operational flexibility and the ability to start up quickly to respond to the needs of the grid.
The barges have a combined capacity of 242 MW, which began commercial operations in 2013, providing up 200 MW to Manila Electric Co.
TMO is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company through Therma Power Inc., its holding company for its investments in thermal energy.