SORSOGON CITY—Energy Development Corp (EDC), a unit of Lopez-led First Gen Corp, on Friday switched on its P7-billion, 22-megawatt (MW) Tanawon Geothermal Power Plant.
The inauguration marks a significant step in the Philippines’ clean energy transition and underscores the company’s commitment to energy security and climate resilience.
The Tanawon project, situated within the Bacon-Manito (Bac-Man) geothermal facility in the Bicol region, highlights EDC’s dedication and technical expertise in harnessing the country’s abundant indigenous geothermal resources.
It said the initiative aligns with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) 2020-2040. Geothermal energy is a cornerstone of the NREP, which aims to elevate renewables’ share in the national energy mix to 50% by 2040.
“Tanawon’s inauguration is not only a proud achievement for First Gen and EDC but also a win for the country’s energy security and climate resilience journey,” said EDC president and chief operating officer Jerome Cainglet.
“We dedicate it to our communities, government partners, and everyone committed to a decarbonized, regenerative future,” he said.
The project’s swift 27-month completion demonstrates how strong collaboration between First Gen-EDC and its key contractors, First Balfour and Toshiba, coupled with robust government support, can accelerate the deployment of clean energy solutions.
The geothermal facility is projected to generate 159,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) annually, contributing to the country’s baseload renewable energy capacity and helping to avoid approximately 38,312 tons of CO2 emissions each year.
In November 2020, the DOE recognized the Tanawon project’s crucial role in enhancing energy independence and reducing reliance on fossil fuels by awarding it a certificate of energy project of national significance.
The new facility is the second of First Gen-EDC’s seven growth projects to come online. The first was the 29-MW Palayan Binary Geothermal Power Plant, which was inaugurated on July 5, 2024.
EDC plans to commission four additional growth projects this year: the 28-MW Mahanagdong Binary Geothermal Power Plant in Leyte, and three battery energy storage systems (BESS) totaling 40 MWh.
These BESS projects include a 20-MW system in Bac-Man, 10 MW in Leyte and 10 MW in Negros Oriental. The company expects to complete its 5.6-MW Bago Binary geothermal power plant in Negros Occidental by 2026.
With an installed capacity of nearly 1,400 MW, EDC accounts for about 17 percent of the Philippines’ total installed renewable energy capacity.
Its geothermal portfolio, exceeding 1,000 MW, comprises about 56 percent of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity, solidifying the Philippines’ position as the world’s third-largest geothermal producer.
