PNOC subsidiary takes over 2 geothermal plants in Leyte

The PNOC Energy Development Corp. (EDC) on Wednesday took over two geothermal power plants in Leyte, with a total capacity of 412.5 megawatts, from CalEnergy International Ltd. In a statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday, PNOC-EDC said it officially assumes operation of the 232.5-megawatt Malitbog and 180-megawatt Mahanagdong A and B plants. "The two power plants were turned over by CalEnergy to PNOC-EDC after completion of the 10-year cooperation period as per the respective Energy Conversion Agreements (ECAs)," the company statement said. The Malitbog power plant consists of three 77.5-megawatt turbine generator units for a total installed capacity of 232.5 megawatts, "making it the world's largest capacity geothermal power plant under one roof." The projects Unit 1 provide power to the National Power Corp. for distribution to Cebu through the Leyte-Cebu transmission interconnection project. Units 2 and 3 povide power to NPC for distribution to Luzon through the Leyte-Luzon transmission interconnection project. Output from the Mahanagdong Plants, on the other hand, is transmitted to Luzon via submarine cable from Samar. - GMANews.TV