Phoenix Pilipinas Gas and Power Inc. and U.S.-based Mesa Natural Gas Solutions LLC started the pilot run of LPG-fired generation sets to provide base load power to Balesin Island Club in Polillo, Quezon.
Three US-manufactured gensets arrived in the country in June and transported to Balesin, each with a maximum capacity of 350 kilowatts.
PPGPI, controlled by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, said in a statement the gensets are powered using propane-rich liquefied petroleum gas provided by Phoenix as part of its energy diversification campaign.
“With Balesin’s gradual return to full operations from the current community quarantine measures, the pilot run will effectively provide cleaner power to the entire island resort. The aim is to ultimately replicate such solutions later on in industries that are generating and using their own power in the fields of manufacturing, hospitality & leisure, construction, telecommunications, and mining,” said Phoenix president Henry Bong Fadullon.
“The gensets can run on LPG—not only a cleaner source, but also a viable component in the energy mix of the country, which we aim to help diversify,” Fadullon said.
Master-planned by EcoPlan of Miami, Florida, Balesin was designed with the environment in mind and to be in harmony with its natural surroundings. Balesin implements sustainable initiatives such as water harvesting, 80-percent water recycling, on-site eco-friendly transportation, organic farming, switching to glass bottled water and paper straws and programs for community empowerment.
These initiatives resulted in Balesin being the first and only Philippine resort awarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organization for innovative tourism and sustainability.
Phoenix signed a memorandum of agreement with US-based Mesa Natural Gas Solutions LLC last year which included the delivery of gas-powered gensets this month.
The agreement designates Mesa to manufacture the gensets, while Phoenix will be in charge of the business in the country.
The gensets can run on different types of fuel. Aside from propane-rich LPG, they can be powered using natural gas, liquefied natural gas, compressed gas and wellhead gas. With the use of such technology, LPG is positioned as a transition fuel to bring cleaner and more efficient fuel such as LNG, making this type of gensets a viable alternative to coal, diesel and bunker fuel-fed power generation units.
Phoenix said the introduction of the gas-powered gensets strengthens the thrust of the company to expand the LPG market in the Philippines and contribute to a more diversified energy mix.
It said the gensets would not only bring down greenhouse gas emissions but also provide security and consistent supply of power to off-grid users.